Lascuña, Del Rosario set out for repeat Caliraya titles

Antonio Lascuna leads ICTSI Caliraya Springs field. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Caliraya Springs stop of the ICTSI golf tour will have champions of the men’s and ladies’ divisions defending their titles as the circuit, after unpredictable endings to its first two legs of the season, is still in search for its first repeat winner.

Antonio Lascuña will banner the men’s field and is brimming with confidence after getting over flu-like symptoms that slowed him down in the Apo Golf and Rancho Palos Verdes legs that opened the 10-leg men’s season last month in Davao.

“I feel good about my chances,” the 53-year-old Lascuña, the tour’s only four-time Order of Merit winner, told the Inquirer in Filipino during a short break in practice at Manila Southwoods on Wednesday. “Nothing has changed in my mindset for the season. I just continue practicing because I really believe that is crucial.”

READ: Tony Lascuña rules Caliraya golf 

Jonel Ababa, who won the Apo Golf stop, will be playing and will, together with Lascuña, be leading basically the same field shooting for a lion’s share of the P2.5 million men’s purse. Zannie Boy Gialon, who ruled the 2022 edition, is also a man to watch.

“I have good memories of the Caliraya (layout). I just hope that I can get lucky and do it (win) again this year.”

On a break

Pauline del Rosario will be using her break from the Epson Tour in the United States to play for the first time this year on local soil and win the event for the second time.

“I’m just very happy and excited,” Del Rosario said as she will be facing a new-look field starting Tuesday next week with a number of talented rookies.

One of those is Lois Kaye Go, the former national team standout who is itching for redemption after blowing a two-shot lead heading into the final round at Palos Verdes.

“I just need to stay patient,” Go, whose older brother LJ broke through over the same course that same week by winning the men’s event, had said.