Shootout looms as PGT Asia Pradera unwraps

LUBAO, Pampanga, Philippines — Jhonnel Ababa has the momentum coming off a runaway win, Clyde Mondilla exudes confidence in his return while Tony Lascuña and Justin Quiban are ready for a rebound in what promises to be an explosive start of the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic here today.

The rest of the 83-player field have also primed themselves up for this week’s $100,000 championship, guaranteeing a shootout over a long but flat, well-maintained par-72 Pradera Verde course hoping to hold its ground against the expected charge of the men of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

“I feel good of my chances coming off a big win. I just hope I can sustain my form here,” said Ababa, who broke a three-year title spell with a seven-stroke victory at Eagle Ridge last week, joining the elite roster of PGT Asia winners that included Miguel Tabuena (Southwoods), Rene Menor (Splendido), Mondilla (Riviera), Lascuña (Wack Wack) and Quiban (Luisita).

A fierce duel could indeed be in the works right in the first round as Ababa, Mondilla and Lascuña are paired in the featured 8:10 a.m. flight, each looking for a solid start and the needed momentum for their respective drive for a second crown in the circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“I’m so excited to play this week and I expect it will be four days of solid shotmaking,” said Mondilla, who vied in last week’s Singapore Open where he missed the cut but learned a lot after competing against some of the world’s leading players.