Tabuena, Ababa wrap it up

Miguel Tabuena and Sarah Ababa topped their respective divisions pulling away to cap a dominating Philippine performance in the Malaysian Junior Open in Kota Kinabalu Sunday.

Tabuena closed out with a tournament-best 69 under ideal playing conditions for a 54-hole total of six-under 210 and a 10-shot victory over local bets Paul San and Jeremiah Kim.

Aside from the overall crown, Tabuena also romped off with the 15-16 title as the ICTSI-Cangolf mainstay underscored his readiness for his first stint in the men’s national team in the Putra Cup, also set in Malaysia, next week.

Ababa also scored twin victories in the ladies’ division with the top ICTSI bet posting an eight-shot win over Kelly Tan in the overall race with a 218 after a 72, and a five-shot victory over Vivienne Chin for the 15-16 crown.

Reigning RP amateur champion Clyde Mondilla matched par 72 and finished fifth in the men’s side at 224. Kenneth Kano (79-231) placed eighth and Bino dela Paz (82-234) and Alexes Nallos (77-234) ended up tied for 11th.

The ICTSI-backed RP squad also captured the team crown with a 287 from Tabuena’s 70-71 and Ababa’s 75-71 rounds.