Juvic posts 3-shot win over Que, Salvador

MANILA, Philippines - Juvic Pagunsan scored another wire-to-wire triumph to close out the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour season, outclassing Elmer Salvador in their final round duel to annex the ICTSI-Canlubang Golf Invitational via a three-stroke victory yesterday.

Two shots ahead of Salvador at the start of another fine day at Cangolf’s north course, Pagunsan played a steady game of even-par 36 at the front then watched his rival drop two shots to turn what was billed to be a shootout into a virtual rout.

He finished with a 71, completing a run of under-par scores after piling up two 68s to seize control for a 54-hole total of nine-under 207 worth another P200,000.

It was a repeat of his runaway victory at ICTSI-Apo Classic last July where he led from start to finish to post a six-shot win over Artemio Murakami and Jerome Delariarte before skipping the rest of the ICTSI-PGT circuit to resume his campaign on the Asian Tour.

His stint abroad, which he spiked with a third place finish in the Asian International, further sharpened his skills and boosted his confidence, which the rest of the field had failed to match throughout the P1 million tournament.

Angelo Que, a regular Asian Tour campaigner like Pagunsan, tried to make a final-round rally a flight ahead of the championship group. But the reigning Philippine Open champion, who had a 74 in the first round and began the day six shots behind, ran out of holes, settling for joint second with Salvador at 210 after a second straight 68.

Salvador, a two-leg winner on the tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., birdied two of the last five holes to salvage an even par 72.

Que and Salvador each received P92,500 with the latter, winner of the ICTSI-Sherwood and ICTSI-Valley legs, running away with the Order of Merit crown with a total earnings of P784,652.

Jay Bayron, who ruled the ICTSI-Forest Hills leg of the circuit backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Pisanti, Srixon, FAMI, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource, Nike Golf, Tiger Gatorade and Pepsico, shot a 70 to tie Richard Sinfuego, who had a 71, in fourth at 211. Each got P45,000.

Danny Zarate, winner of the kickoff leg at Mt. Malarayat, rallied with a 69 and gained a joint sixth finish with Ricky Marcelo, who fired a 71, at 214 worth P32,500 each, while Cassius Casas also turned in a 69 for a share of eighth with rookie pro Anthony Fernando, who carded a 74, at 215. Each received P24,500.

Venjo Reyes, who went five-under after the first nine holes in the first round, also fired a 69 to finish solo 10th with a 216 worth P23,000.

Pagunsan’s win and Que’s joint runner-up finish make them the early favorites in the Philippine Open slated at Mt. Malarayat in Lipa, Batangas next week where they will be joined by top Filipino player Frankie Miñoza.

Miñoza won the ICTSI-Pueblo de Oro leg, also last July, and was scheduled to play this week but begged off at the last-minute to honor a previous commitment.