Salvador nails 2nd win in RP golf tour

Elmer Salvador produced a nerve-wrecking victory in the P1-million ICTSI-Valley Golf Challenge, becoming the first two-leg winner in the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour as he fended off the final day rallies of veteran Gene Bondoc and amateur Jhonel Ababa. Salvador, winner of the ICTSI-Sherwood Hills Classic, went to work immediately after dropping a shot in the first hole. He eagled the par-five, seventh hole en route to a one-under-par 71 and 208 aggregate to clinch the crown and top prize of P200,000.

Bondoc led in the first round with a five-under 67 but dropped to joint third after 36 holes. He bounced back with a four-under 68 but ran out of holes. He wound up with a six-under 210 for second, his best finish, and took home P120,000. Ababa, trying to duplicate reigning national champion Mhark Fernando’s big win at ICTSI-Riviera, seized the lead with a par on No. 1 and stayed on top with birdies on Nos. 5 and 7. But he dropped two shots on the next two holes, fought back with a birdie on No. 13 but bogeyed No. 15 and double-bogeyed the 16th to drop out of contention. He limped home with a two-over 74 for solo third at 211. However, no cash was awarded to him. Danny Zarate, also rallied with a three-under 69 to tie Richard Sinfuego (70) at fourth at 212. Ramil Bisera carded a 70 while Jun Bernis and Ruben Sasutil turned in identical 71s to share sixth place at 213 while unheralded Randy Garalde shot the day’s best score of six-under 66 to jump from out of nowhere to joint ninth with Fernando, who had a 71, at 214. The two-shot romp also catapulted Salvador to the top of the Order of Merit rankings heading into the final round in Canlubang on Dec. 9-11 where the other leg winners, including ICTSI-Apo Classic champion Juvic Pagunsan and ICTSI-Pueblo de Oro winner Frankie Miñoza, are expected to re-join. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV