In-form Tabuena eyes back-to-back title at Apo

All eyes will be on Miguel Tabuena and his quest for a second straight title on the ICTSI Tour as he leads a stellar cast vying for the P1.5-million Apo Golf Invitational title starting Wednesday in Davao.

After nipping Elmer Salvador with a late birdie for the Rancho Palos Verdes crown Saturday, Tabuena will take on basically the same field here.

But he will have to do it on a course that is long regarded as one of the toughest in the country.

Salvador knows every bump and roll in the layout where he worked as a caddy before rising to prominence, same with Antonio Lascuña, Cassius Casas, Jay Bayron and several others.

Tree-lined Apo requires utmost accuracy for the entire 18 holes, and Tabuena will have to be at his best if he wants to rule this one.

Juvic Pagunsan, who is still under suspension from the tour for conduct unbecoming, won the last event held at Apo in 2011 when he turned back Salvador by four shots.

Lascuña is determined to end a winless spell after eight legs this season. He won five legs last year and was the Order of Merit champion for the third straight time.  Musong R. Castillo