Avaricio surges to ICTSI Apo lead in redemption-fueled comeback

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DAVAO CITY – Chanelle Avaricio isn’t just chasing a trophy this week – she’s chasing peace of mind.

Still smarting from a back-nine collapse that cost her the Del Monte crown last week, Avaricio mounted a gritty rally in the first round of the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic Tuesday here, carving out a gutsy 72 to seize a one-stroke lead and rekindle hopes of redemption.

Her charge came after a stumbling start on the front nine, marred by three bogeys at the demanding Apo Golf and Country Club layout. But true to her reputation as a resilient competitor, Avaricio flipped the script with a composed and confident finish, birdying three of the final eight holes to claw her way back to the top of the leaderboard in the PHP1 million championship marred by rain at the finish.

“It’s a difficult course, especially the greens,” said Avaricio, acknowledging the tricky conditions and sweltering heat that tested both skill and stamina. “I actually hit my irons better at Del Monte than here, but I really tried my best.”

What makes her opening-round lead more compelling is the emotional weight she’s carrying. Just days ago at Del Monte, Avaricio seemed poised for victory until a costly back-nine slide opened the door for Sarah Ababa to steal the win in sudden death. It was a painful loss – but one that Avaricio appears determined to transform into fuel.

“I have no expectations, but I’ll do my best,” she said. “Hopefully, this time, it will be a great week.”

Standing in her way, however, are not just the challenges of the Apo course, but also a surging local field hungry for their own breakthroughs.

Among them is Mafy Singson, the Eagle Ridge champion earlier this year, who posted a steady 73 to trail Avaricio by just one. Like Avaricio, Singson is also looking to rebound after a disappointing ninth-place finish at Del Monte. She leaned on course familiarity to stay in the hunt, despite an up-and-down round.

“I don’t think there was much difference in my mindset compared to Del Monte, but I’m more familiar with this course,” said Singson, who hails from Davao and grew up playing at Apo. “Though it’s hot, I tried to stay cool the whole day.”

Singson’s even-keeled finish – a string of eight straight pars – showed her growing maturity, even if she confessed to feeling the fatigue of back-to-back tournaments.

“My body is tired,” she said without elaborating. “But I’m okay with how it turned out.”

Also in the mix is Apple Fudolin, who briefly held the lead after a fiery mid-round charge that featured three straight birdies from No. 16. She faltered slightly coming home at the front but steadied herself with a birdie on the eighth to salvage a 73 and a share of second place.

“The difference here was really my putting,” said Fudolin, who credited improved green-reading and chemistry with her caddie for her performance. “My shots at Del Monte and here were the same, actually, but this time my stroke clicked.”

Despite Apo being a course that “demands more than talent and skills,” Fudolin said she was pleased with her ball-striking and short game. “Nahihirapan ako dito,” she admitted, “but I was able to hang in there.”

Just two strokes behind Avaricio is Daniella Uy, who was cruising at one under through 11 holes before bogeys derailed her finish. She settled for a 74, one shot ahead of Princess Superal, Chihiro Ikeda, Rev Alcantara, Monica Mandario and Marvi Monsalve, who all carded 75s.

Kristine Fleetwood and Pamela Mariano matched 76s for joint 10th, while Angela Mangala posted a 77.

Meanwhile, defending champion Ababa, expected to dominate on her home course, struggled with a surprising 78 – marred by a frontside 41 that left her six shots off the pace. She now finds herself in an unfamiliar chase pack that includes Florence Bisera, Tiffany Lee, Kayla Nocum, Martina Miñoza and amateur Johanna Uyking.

With just three strokes separating the top nine contenders and conditions expected to remain tough throughout the week, the race for the ICTSI Apo crown is shaping up to be a tense, tactical battle.

But for Avaricio, it’s about more than just winning – it’s about closure, confidence and proving to herself that she can finish what she starts.

“I’ll just keep doing my best,” she said.