‘Tiger’ Ababa eagles way to crown

Jhonnel Ababa carded a three-under-par 69 Saturday to quell Australian Andrew Campbell’s rally and nail his second straight Philippine Golf Tour Asia title in style.

Counting his earlier efforts of 71-68-70, Ababa pooled a 278 to rule the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic by two shots in Lubao, Pampanga.

With Campbell, who capped a flawless 67 with a birdie on the par-5 No. 18, bracing for a playoff, Ababa went out and gunned down an eagle.

“I was so confident. I didn’t hesitate with my second shot,” said Ababa, who after hitting his drive to the left of the dog-leg 18th, blasted a 3-wood from 250 yards to within five feet to secure the $17,500 top purse.

“I felt I was Tiger (Woods) after I made that eagle. I felt nobody could beat me,” added Ababa, who entered the $100,000 event in high spirits after routing the field by seven at Eagle Ridge last week.

In a flight ahead, Campbell rallied to snatch second place worth $11,500. —ROY LUARCA