Ababa chases back-to-back PGT titles at Pueblo de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Fresh from ending a two-year title drought, Jhonnel Ababa hopes to carry his momentum and renewed confidence into the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship as he chases back-to-back Philippine Golf Tour victories beginning Monday, Oct. 12.

Ababa survived a nerve-wracking seesaw battle in Iloilo last week, coming from behind with clutch birdies on the final two holes to force a tie with Jeffren Lumbo before securing his 14th PGT victory.

The triumph was as emotional as it was unexpected for Ababa.

Unlike his previous victory at Apo Golf in 2024, when he defeated Guido van der Valk in a sudden-death playoff before a home crowd, Ababa said his Iloilo triumph felt like a blessing that came when he least expected it.

He had trailed Lumbo by three strokes heading into the closing stretch.

With the odds seemingly stacked against him, Ababa credited his faith for turning the tournament in his favor.

“God simply gave me this victory. I honestly didn’t expect to win because Jeffren had such a big lead. But God made it possible,” said Ababa in Filipino, who dedicated the victory to his family, including his late wife, Mailyn, and their sons, John Michael and Samuel.

Ababa will face another stiff challenge as he seeks a second consecutive championship in the eighth stop of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Among his chief rivals is Reymon Jaraula, the last player to win a PGT event at Pueblo de Oro when the course hosted the tour in 2019.

Jaraula edged Tony Lascuña in a dramatic playoff that year and returns after a strong third-place finish in Iloilo, making the Del Monte ace one of the players to watch in the PHP 2.5 million championship.

Lascuña, meanwhile, will try to bounce back from a 10th-place finish in Iloilo.

He headlines a formidable field that also includes Zaragosa, Lumbo, van der Valk, Russell Bautista and Angelo Que.

Reigning Order of Merit champion Que will also look to regain top form after a hectic stretch of tournaments at home and abroad.

Que is chasing his third victory of the season after winning the Caliraya Springs and Summit Point legs.

The Pueblo de Oro field also includes recent Negros Occidental leg winner Art Arbole, Elee Bisera, Francis Morilla, Jay Bayron and Ira Alido.

Korean challengers Kim Tae Soo, Chon Koo Kang and Lee Song are also entered in the tournament.

US-based Jeremy Tandoy and Ivan Yabut will likewise compete alongside other foreign challengers, setting the stage for another closely contested week on the Philippine Golf Tour.