Gialon nails 2nd title with a flourish

CANLUBANG, Laguna—Zannie Boy Gialon closed out with a four-under-par 68 yesterday and won the ICTSI Canlubang Invitational running away from Elmer Saban for his second leg triumph this year.

Gialon was steady on a day when the others in title contention overnight floundered, shooting five birdies on a 10-hole stretch bridging both nines to tally an impressive eight-under 208 over the tree-lined, ravine-laden North layout.

Saban, the reedy Davao native who started the day tied with Gialon for second spot, made bogey-bogey-par on the last three holes for a 71 and 211, two clear of Jay Bayron who finished third after a similar 71.

Jonel Ababa, whose 69 on Thursday gave him a one-stroke lead going into the final day, dropped shots on three of the four par-5 holes and signed for a 74, setting for a tie for third with Bayron.

“I just played my game and didn’t put too much pressure on myself,” said Gialon, a former caddy at Apo, in Filipino. “I hit good drives all day and had a solid iron game which gave me the opportunity to attack the pins.”

Gialon seized the lead from Ababa right on the first hole after knocking down a 10-footer for birdie. Ababa missed the green to the left and failed to rescue par.

Obscure Chris Delos Santos and Rufino Bayron recorded the day’s best scores of 66 with Delos Santos winding up with a 214 total for solo fifth—his best finish in the circuit.

Rufino Bayron checked in another stroke behind, tied with former Philippine Open champion and Japan Senior Tour campaigner Robert Pactolerin, who returned a level 72 in his first stint in the circuit since April.

Mark Fernando, Marvin Dumandan and Jessie Balasabas shot a 68, 70 and 74, in that order, and finished with even 216s.

The final stop of the 15-leg circuit will be held at Wack Wack’s fabled East layout in two weeks with the veteran Frankie Miñoza expected to defend his crown.