Concepcion eyes breakthrough as PGT battle heats up at Marapara

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Fidel Concepcion heads into another Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) week with renewed hope and rising expectations.

With steady progress in recent tour stops, the Southern Utah University standout is aiming to finally clinch his breakthrough win as the PHP 2 million ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic tees off Tuesday, September 9, at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.

The historic Marapara layout hosts a loaded field, spotlighting back-to-back leg winner Keanu Jahns and the resurgent 29-year-old Concepcion, whose recent performances suggest he is on the brink of victory.

After placing seventh at Forest Hills, Concepcion finished fourth at Caliraya Springs, where he went head-to-head with Jahns and Angelo Que in a pressure-filled final round but faltered late.

He rebounded last week at the Bacolod Golf Challenge with a bogey-free 67 to secure solo second, once again chasing Jahns, who pulled away with another brilliant closing stretch.

This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Concepcion, who led after the opening round of the 2024 Iloilo Golf Challenge before slipping to a share of fourth.

Each close call has only strengthened his determination and shaped his approach.

“Great players are forged in adversity,” they say—and Concepcion seems to be proving it as he prepares to tackle Marapara’s demanding par-70 setup.

Angelo Que also enters with unfinished business.

The seasoned pro, who won the season’s first two legs at Pradera Verde and Eagle Ridge, staged a thrilling rally from seven shots back in Bacolod before his momentum stalled due to missed birdie chances, finishing third.

At 45, Que continues to defy age and the influx of younger contenders as he eyes another title run.

Jahns, meanwhile, remains the marked man after winning consecutive legs with trademark consistency and calm under pressure.

Also expected to contend are seasoned pros and rising stars, including Aidric Chan, Tony Lascuña, Tae Won Ha, Reymon Jaraula, Russell Bautista, Carl Corpus, Collin Wheeler, Michael Bibat and Sean Ramos.

Adding depth to the elite field is Justin Quiban, who returns to local play after international campaigns.

A three-time PGT winner, Quiban placed fifth at Caliraya Springs and previously won in Bacolod in 2018 following his breakout victory at Luisita in 2017.

He ended a five-year title drought with a dramatic four-hole playoff win over Marvin Dumandan at South Pacific in 2023 and recently tied for 37th at the Indonesia Open on the Asian Tour.

Now back on home soil, Quiban is eager to ride his momentum and chase another crown.

Other names to watch include Clyde Mondilla, Jisung Cheon, Josh Jorge, James Lam, John Michael Uy, Forest Hills champion Guido van der Valk, and former Marapara winners Ira Alido and Rupert Zaragosa.

With a deep and competitive field, unpredictable course conditions, and several players peaking at the right time, this week’s event at Marapara promises a wide-open race to the finish.