Ababa, Ikeda, Superal tied for ICTSI Caliraya lead

CAVINTI, Laguna – Sarah Ababa salvaged a crucial birdie on the 18th to cap a turbulent round of 70 and regain a share of the lead with Chihiro Ikeda and Princess Superal, setting up a thrilling finale in the PHP1 million ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship on Wednesday.

Ababa, who opened with a 70 at the Arnold Palmer-designed Caliraya Springs course, endured a rollercoaster second round marked by crisp iron play and costly errors, but closed strong with a clutch nine-footer for birdie to stay atop the leaderboard at 140.

Ikeda, meanwhile, turned back the clock with a vintage performance.

After opening with a double bogey on the par-4 second hole, the former Order of Merit winner mounted a spectacular rally, reeling off six birdies over a 10-hole stretch, including back-to-backs on Nos. 10 and 11, to seize the solo lead.

She added another birdie on No. 16 to go five-under for the round, but a bogey on the 17th forced her to settle for a 68 and a share of the top spot.

Superal also stayed firmly in the mix with a composed 69, offsetting a lone bogey on No. 13 with four birdies, including a key conversion on No. 15.

Her improved putting proved decisive, as she parred the final two holes — where she faltered in the opening round — to complete a 34-35 card and stay in step with her longtime friends and rivals.

With all three tied at 140 entering the final round, the stage is set for a frenetic showdown among veterans who have starred in many of the local circuit’s biggest moments.

“I’m happy with my iron shots. I hit 17 greens today,” said Ababa, who also led after the first round and is eyeing another Ladies Philippine Golf Tour title after her Iloilo win last year.

“I had a few three-putts, but that birdie on the 18th gave me a boost. There’s no pressure going into tomorrow, especially since I’ll be playing with friends. I’ll just enjoy the game.”

Ikeda echoed the same relaxed mindset after her stirring comeback.

“I just reminded myself there were still a lot of holes to play,” said the multi-leg winner, who missed a chance to clinch the Lakewood Championship last year.

“My irons were sharper today and the putts kept falling.”

Now, she gets another shot at redemption in a three-way battle with two of the tour’s most decorated names.

While Ababa and Ikeda lit up the scorecards with flashes of brilliance, all eyes could be on Superal — the former Asia-Pacific champion whose consistency may prove decisive on a course known for its risk-reward layout.

“I just need to stick to my process and give my 100 percent tomorrow,” said Superal, now a step away from ending a lengthy title drought.

The final round promises fireworks, with not only pride but also the top PHP125,000 purse at stake.

Expect no letup from the chasing pack, including defending champion Harmie Constantino, who carded a 69 to tie Florence Bisera — who submitted a second straight 71 — at 142, just two shots off the lead.

Martina Miñoza briefly threatened at two-under through 12 holes, but a costly double bogey on No. 17 forced her to settle for a 72 and a 143 total.

She remains within striking distance, only three strokes back.

First-round leader Kim Seo Yun struggled under pressure, limping home with a 75 to drop to seventh at 144.

Tiffany Lee rebounded with a 71 for a 145, while Gretchen Villacencio and Mafy Singson, who both returned 71s, stayed in the hunt at 146.

Singson, a playoff winner at Eagle Ridge, opened hot with three birdies in the first six holes but faltered late, finishing with four bogeys against two more birdies and missing key chances that could’ve pushed her into contention.

With Ababa’s resilience, Ikeda’s resurgence and Superal’s quiet determination converging in the spotlight, Thursday’s finale shapes up as one of the most riveting in recent memory on the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit.