Tabuena top pick as rich ICTSI Luisita tilt fires off

Miguel Tabuena. Inquirer Golf

THERE’S no doubt who the favorite is when the P3.5-million ICTSI Luisita Championship gets off the ground today in Tarlac.

Miguel Tabuena sets out as the proverbial man-to-beat, seeking a second straight victory in the young Philippine Golf Tour season at the majestic layout where he gutted out a come-from-behind win and completed his ascent as an international star.

The 21-year-old will be gunning for a followup of his Anvaya Cove triumph and a second straight title at the Robert Trent Jones gem after winning the Philippine Open a few days before Christmas last year.

“I enjoy the course and it’s been very good to me,” said Tabuena, who also won a PGT leg here two years ago when the exclusive layout again reopened its doors to pro events. “I hope to win again this week.”

Angelo Que and Antonio Lascuña are tipped as the chief threats to spoil another big Tabuena romp, with both possessing different games that could conquer Luisita.

Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk and Japanese Toru Nakajima head a hard bunch of foreigners seeking the P650,000 champion’s purse.

Lost in Tabuena’s quest for another win is the debut of Jobim Carlos as a pro.

Carlos topped qualifying for the local circuit and early this year earned a full Asian Tour card after ending his US NCAA career with University of San Francisco last year.

Zanieboy Gialon served notice of his title bid as he led his team composed of amateurs Mario Pangan, Frederick Salonga and Alex Ong to the pro-am title on a 16-under 56, nipping Mondilla and partners Ninoy Palomar, Pykes Fiesta and Romeo Prado in the countback.