Ababa rallies past Lumbo to win ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge

ILOILO — Refusing to buckle under pressure, Jhonnel Ababa staged a dramatic late-round comeback, birdieing the final two holes to edge Jeffren Lumbo by one stroke and capture the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge title with a scintillating 63 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club on Friday.

The seasoned campaigner and former Order of Merit champion unleashed a furious closing charge, pulling level with Lumbo on the 17th before sinking another clutch birdie on the 72nd hole.

The electric finish ignited roaring cheers from the large crowd gathered around the 18th green.

Ababa’s closing surge capped a remarkable stretch-run battle after Lumbo, who finished with a 67, had appeared firmly in control entering the final round.

The 30-year-old Lumbo had opened a three-shot cushion over Ababa and Francis Morilla following a near-flawless third-round showing Thursday, putting himself in prime position to claim his second career victory.

But Ababa refused to let the gap dictate the outcome.

Under sweltering conditions, the multi-title campaigner steadily chipped away at Lumbo’s advantage while a host of contenders, including Morilla, Reymon Jaraula, Clyde Mondilla, Ira Alido and Rupert Zaragosa, also tried to stay within striking distance.

With the field gradually running out of holes, Ababa made his move.

A stirring birdie-birdie-eagle surge from No. 12 brought him level with Lumbo at 12-under with four holes remaining, setting up a tense duel between the two contenders.

Lumbo answered with a clutch birdie on No. 15 to regain the outright lead and appeared to have stemmed Ababa’s charge.

But the veteran refused to blink.

Ababa stayed composed down the stretch and birdied No. 17 to draw level once more at 13-under, setting up a winner-take-all finish on the 18th.

With the title hanging in the balance, Ababa set himself up with a 4-foot birdie putt after Lumbo’s approach finished about three pin lengths away.

When Lumbo missed his birdie attempt, the door was open for Ababa.

Ababa took his time reading the break before confidently stroking the putt into the hole to complete the comeback and secure a one-stroke victory.

His closing 7-under 63 gave him a 14-under 266 total and the PHP 440,000 top prize.

Lumbo closed with a 3-under 67 to settle for his third runner-up finish of the year at 267 and pocket PHP 287,500.

Jaraula fired a 66 to snatch third place at 270 after one of the fiercest four-day duels in Philippine Golf Tour history.

It was Ababa’s 14th PGT victory.

Ababa attributed the triumph to divine providence and admitted he never expected to win after entering the final round three shots behind Lumbo.

“Talagang ipinagkaloob lang ng Diyos kaya nanalo ako. Hindi ko naman akalaing mananalo ako dito kasi malaki ang lamang ni Jeffren. Kaya talagang ipinagkaloob Niya ito,” said Ababa, who dedicated the victory to his family, including his late wife, Mailyn, and their sons, John Michael and Samuel.

Despite being two shots down with seven holes to play, Ababa knew the match was far from over.

Rather than dwell on the deficit, he focused on executing the basics and giving himself a chance.

“Hindi naman ako na-pressure. Sabi ko lang, kailangan fairway at green lang, tapos baka makatsamba. Sa No. 17, maganda ang linya,” he said.

With a playoff as his immediate goal, Ababa stayed patient and waited for an opening.

“Playoff lang talaga ang habol ko at baka may chance. Pero na-miss niya ‘yung putt niya at naka-one putt ako,” he said.

No sudden death was needed as Ababa seized the opportunity on the 18th.

His solid drive left him just 50 yards from the pin before he pulled out his trusted 60-degree wedge and knocked his approach to within four feet.

Mondilla carded a 67 to tie Morilla, who shot a 69, for fourth at 272.

Zaragosa posted a second straight 68 to finish sixth at 273.

Negros Occidental leg winner Art Arbole rallied with a 68 to tie Alido, who matched par with a 70, and Japan’s Miki Ryoma, who slipped with a 71, for seventh at 275.

The victory underscored Ababa’s experience and composure under pressure as he transformed a three-shot overnight deficit into a dramatic closing triumph with back-to-back birdies when they mattered most.

It was also a measure of redemption for Ababa after his third-place finish in Negros Occidental last year, where he battled Arbole through the first three rounds before fading on the final day as Lumbo seized runner-up honors.

For the rising Sarangani star, who also finished second at Pinewoods, the defeat came after he had controlled much of the tournament and appeared poised to add another title to his young professional career.

Instead, Ababa owned the closing stretch, turning the 17th and 18th holes into the decisive moments of his ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge victory.