Ababa rallies again for dramatic South Pacific Classic win

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DAVAO CITY — Sarah Ababa staged another spectacular comeback to capture the ICTSI South Pacific Classic title on Thursday, firing a final-round 65 to edge hometown favorite Florence Bisera by a single stroke.

Just two weeks after a similar come-from-behind victory at Del Monte, where she beat Chanelle Avaricio in a two-hole playoff, Ababa again found herself three shots behind at the turn but refused to back down.

Her rival, Bisera, looked untouchable early, scorching the front nine with a seven-under 29 that included five straight birdies from No. 5.

“Medyo nag-self-doubt na din ako after nung front nine niya,” Ababa admitted. “Pero sabi ni Papa, ‘Wala naman nananalo after nine holes. Marami pang pagkakataon para bumawi.’ So doon lang ako kumapit.”

Her father, veteran golfer Edgar Ababa, kept her focused as the momentum began to shift on the back nine.

Ababa’s birdie on No. 12 sparked her rally, and another on No. 14 brought her within one stroke of the lead.

Under the sweltering Davao heat, Bisera’s putting cooled while Ababa found her rhythm and confidence.

At the par-4 17th, Ababa’s wedge from 70 yards nearly dropped for eagle, setting up a tap-in birdie to tie Bisera at 10-under.

“Sobrang tight ng laban, pero ang sarap ng yardage ko sa last two holes,” she said. “Yung 70 yards sa 17 at 110 yards sa 18 – yan talaga mga comfort distance ko. Kumpyansa ako diyan.”

On the final hole, Ababa’s 110-yard approach stopped inches from the cup for another birdie, sealing her second straight title with an 11-under 205 total.

Bisera’s final birdie try missed, settling her for second at 206 despite a brilliant 65 of her own.

Ababa earned PHP 114,000 for the win and strengthened her bid for the season’s Order of Merit crown.

Avaricio, who topped the Apo leg last week, carded a 67 to place third at 208, followed by Princess Superal’s bogey-free 67 for a 209 total.

Tiffany Lee finished fifth at 210 after a 68, while Harmie Constantino (68–214) and Daniella Uy (74–216) rounded out the leaderboard.

“Sabi ko nga, kung ikaw ang nag-caddie sa akin sa Apo, na-sweep ko sana ang Mindanao series,” Ababa joked to her father, who competed in the men’s division instead of caddying for her last week.

From Del Monte to South Pacific, Ababa has proven herself as the circuit’s comeback queen, her poise and precision shining brightest under pressure.

Bautista eyes first PGT title after seizing lead

Russell Bautista moved closer to his first Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) victory after firing a five-under 67 to grab the lead heading into the final round of the men’s ICTSI South Pacific Classic on Thursday.

The Tuburan, Cebu native showed remarkable composure amid scorching conditions, bouncing back from a wet and grueling previous round.

Starting three strokes behind, Bautista methodically strung together six birdies without a bogey through 17 holes before a three-putt on No. 18 trimmed his edge.

Still, his nine-under 207 aggregate gave him a two-shot cushion over Ramil Bisera, who carded a 67 highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 12th.

Two-day leader Jeffren Lumbo slipped to third at 211 after a 74, while Guido van der Valk’s late surge of three birdies in the last four holes lifted him to fourth at 212.

Clyde Mondilla fired a 66, joining Kuresh Samanodi and Jaehyun Jung at fifth with 213.

Angelo Que and Marvin Dumandan matched 71s for ninth at 214, as Kristoffer Arevalo rebounded with a 68 to tie Keanu Jahns (72), Michael Bibat (73), and Ryan Monsalve (76) at 215.

“Hindi ko in-expect na mag-lead kasi andiyan ‘yung mga magagaling, mga idol ko,” Bautista said, expressing surprise at finding himself atop a field that included Que, a two-leg winner this season.

Bautista credited his steady play to a simple game plan focused on accuracy and patience.

“Fairways at greens lang. Kung may chance maka-putt, mas okay,” he said.

Through 18 holes, Bautista hit every fairway and nearly all greens in regulation, showing sharp ball control and mental focus.

“Okay lang ang palo, from the tee to the greens,” he added. “May mga na-miss na birdie chances pero may mga na-save din.”

The 25-year-old golfer admitted that handling pressure would be his biggest challenge entering the final day.

“Hindi ko alam kung kaya kong i-handle ang pressure, pero ie-enjoy ko lang ang laro ko,” he said. “Basta pag binigay sa akin, salamat.”

The men’s champion will take home PHP 616,000, with Bautista, Lumbo, and Bisera all vying for their maiden PGT crown as the tournament heads to a tense finale Friday.