DAVAO City ˗ Justin Quiban pounced on Marvin Dumandan’s costly birdie miss from close range on the 72nd hole then endured an extra four-hole battle of power and wits to capture the fiercely-disputed ICTSI South Pacific Classic crown here yesterday.
Saying he had grown edgy with an unresolved outcome after their repeated returns to the 337-yard No. 9, Quiban attacked it with great resolve in their last two trips, the last leading to a two-putt birdie and ending the protracted duel set up by Dumandan’s sorry miss on No. 18 that saw the latter flub a birdie-putt from five feet.
Dumandan also failed to extend the match further with a miss from long range.
They matched pars after exchanging a couple of muffed birdie bids in their first three visits back on No. 9 with Quiban opting for his trusted Ping driver in the last two occasions, the first, however, led to a three-putt par.
But in his next crack at eagle feat, Quiban confidently stroked it to near the hole and drilled the putt that mattered in a day marked by drizzle and ended under the scorching heat that was the condition in the first three days of the P2 million championship sponsored by ICTSI.
Quiban closed out with a 69 to tie Dumandan, who carded a 70, at 279.
Quiban pocketed P360,000 for his feat. He also contended in the Asian Development Tour in Vietnam three weeks ago and in last week’s PGT Del Monte Championship.
Dumandan settled the P236,000 prize while Cebu-based Japanese Ken Nagai settled for third at 280 worth P136,000 in the circuit put up by ICTSI and backed by Kampfortis Golf, the official apparel of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Sean Ramos shot the day’s best 67 to tie Keanu Jahns, who fired a 69, at fourth at 281 while last year’s winner Tony Lascuña wound up sixth at 282 after a 70, and Dutch Guido van der Valk sizzled with a 68 to join Lloyd Go, Elmer Salvador and Forest Hills and Del Monte legs winner Clyde Mondilla at seventh with 285s.
Go actually blitzed the first 10 holes with five birdies against a bogey but dropped a shot on No. 11 and double bogeyed the 17th to fall from joint sixth, Salvador also blew a frontside 33 with three backside bogeys for a 72, while Mondilla gunned down four birdies but made three bogeys and a double bogeys and slipped with a 73.
Ronnel Tagaan shot his third 73 in four days and wound up tied at 20th with Ferdie Aunzo, who limped with a 76, at 291 and took the low amateur honors.
