Jaraula pulls ahead as Zaragosa battles emotion, Lascuña defies age

BUKIDNON – Reymon Jaraula tapped into local knowledge and late-round brilliance to shoot a clutch four-under 68 on Thursday, seizing a one-shot lead over Rupert Zaragosa heading into the final round of the ICTSI Del Monte Championship here.

With a three-day total of 14-under 202, the Bukidnon native catapulted himself from second to first, bringing him within 18 holes of a storybook redemption — and his fourth career victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“Ang advantage ko dito ay home course ko ’to at very familiar ako,” said Jaraula, who turned adversity into opportunity after a bogey start and a costly double on the par-4 13th. He clawed back with a steady front nine capped by an eagle on the par-5 No. 9, then scorched the closing stretch with three straight birdies from No. 14 to seal a resilient 34-34 round.

“First six holes, hindi maganda. Buti na lang nakabawi sa back nine,” he said. “Inisip ko lang na relax lang at madami pa namang butas.”

Now standing on the brink of another triumph, Jaraula is determined not just to win, but to rewrite the ending of last year’s heartbreak at Del Monte, where he fell just one shot short of Clyde Mondilla. This time, he has the crowd behind him, course familiarity on his side, and a steely focus to match.

“Gusto ko talagang manalo dito. Masarap sa pakiramdam kung dito ko makuha ang panalo,” he said.

But chasing closely is the in-form Zaragosa, who carded a steady 71 for a 203 total and remained well within striking distance of back-to-back PGT titles following his dominant victory in Negros Occidental last month.

Though his red-hot 64 in the second round briefly vaulted him into the lead, Zaragosa grappled with inconsistency off the tee on Moving Day.

“I struggled with my long game kaya konti lang ang chances na maka-birdie,” he said.

But a dependable short game — particularly his pitch-and-putt precision — kept him in contention for the top PHP 623,000 purse out of the PHP 3.5 million total prize.

“Most of the time, short game ang nag-work,” he said. “Lalo na yung mga scramble ko for par.”

Fueling Zaragosa’s charge is something deeper than the leaderboard. He is playing with a heavy heart following the recent passing of his grandfather — a man he considered one of his biggest supporters.

“Gusto ko talagang manalo for him,” said Zaragosa, who headed straight to the range post-round to fine-tune his swing. “I know I still have a chance. Pero hindi ko iniisip ’yun masyado. I’ll just do my best at kung ano man ang resulta ay tatanggapin ko.”

As the two top guns battle it out, veteran Tony Lascuña quietly surged into contention with another vintage 68 — his second straight — for a 10-under 206 total, just four shots off the lead.

At 54, the five-time PGT Order of Merit winner continues to defy expectations, but not without acknowledging the toll time has taken on his game.

“Maganda ang tee shots and irons ko. Pero ang putting, maganda sa front nine, pero nawawala sa back nine,” Lascuña said, alluding to a recurring pattern: strong starts followed by fading finishes. He’s shot 36 on the back nine all three days after a 34 and two 32s.

“Siguro may edad na din talaga,” he admitted with a smile. “Pero happy ako sa laro ko. Basta may chance pa, lalaban pa rin.”

Lascuña’s experience and composure could prove pivotal, especially if the leaders falter under pressure. While stamina may be his biggest hurdle, his track record proves he can’t be counted out.

The chasing pack also remained formidable. Japan’s Atsushi Ueda (68), Russell Bautista (69), Keanu Jahns (70), and Kuresh Samanodi (70) are all tied at 207, five shots off the pace. Korean Jaehyun Jung also made a move with a second straight 69 to join Dino Villanueva (70), Guido van der Valk (70), Mondilla (72), and Michael Bibat (73) at 209.

Mondilla, the defending champion, briefly flashed his title-retaining form with back-to-back birdies bridging the nines, but a costly double bogey on the par-5 18th — the same hole he eagled the previous round — derailed his round and dropped him to joint eighth.

Still, the stage is set for a dramatic finish. For Jaraula, a victory would mean redemption at home. For Zaragosa, it would be an emotional tribute. And for Lascuña — it would be proof that age is just a number.