MANILA, Philippines – Justin Quiban’s return and Micah Shin’s entry have added star power and fresh intrigue to an already loaded field, setting the stage for a wide-open title chase in the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic, the final leg of the Philippine Golf Tour season.
The P2.5-million championship reels off Tuesday (Oct. 27) at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City, where four days of exacting golf could produce another nerve-wracking finish in a season marked by dramatic rallies, late collapses and unpredictable outcomes.
With the season’s final trophy and the coveted Order of Merit crown both up for grabs, the stakes could hardly be higher. A formidable cast of contenders is primed to make one last push for glory, with no clear favorite emerging on a demanding layout that rewards precision, patience and sound course management.
Focus will also be placed on retaining the coveted Top 40 Tour cards, setting up a fierce battle in the lower half of the rankings.
Fresh from snapping a two-year title drought with his victory at South Pacific, Clyde Mondilla heads into the final leg brimming with confidence. But Sean Ramos, who came tantalizingly close to forcing a playoff last week, is eager to settle unfinished business, while Keanu Jahns and Angelo Que hope to carry over the momentum of their blistering final-round charges that nearly turned the South Pacific finale on its head.
Que, however, has more than another championship in his sights. The two-leg winner is also locked in a compelling duel with Jeffren Lumbo for the season-long Order of Merit title, with the race now reaching its decisive stage.
Que leads the standings with P1.36 million in earnings and is one tournament away from securing a rare back-to-back OOM crown. Lumbo, despite going winless this season, remains firmly in contention with P1.18 million, his consistent finishes – including runner-up efforts in Negros Occidental and Iloilo – keeping him within striking distance.
With the final leg of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. offering the last opportunity to alter the standings, every shot could carry consequences beyond the tournament leaderboard.
Fidel Concepcion, meanwhile, won’t be around to defend his crown, having traveled to Australia for a vacation after placing 21st at South Pacific.
Yet the addition of Quiban and Shin makes an already formidable field even more difficult to read.
Quiban, who ruled the season-opening leg at Lakewood before resuming his overseas campaign, brings the benefit of competition against a stronger international field. He led the Summit Point tournament after the opening round before settling for third behind Que and Aidric Chan, and arrives in Davao in encouraging form following a joint 35th-place finish at the Hong Kong Open, where he closed with a solid five-under-par 65.
Shin, meanwhile, brings both international pedigree and familiarity with the Apo layout. The Korean-American, who also competed in Hong Kong, honed his game on the course and knows what it takes to navigate its challenges. He made history in 2018 as the first foreign player to win The Country Club Invitational and is now keen to add a regular PGT championship to his résumé.
Their presence raises the quality of an already deep field, but neither can afford to take anything for granted on an Apo layout expected to test even the most accomplished players. Its tight fairways and demanding shot-making requirements leave little room for error, making accuracy and discipline just as crucial as power and scoring flair.
That could open the door for a host of challengers eager to seize their moment in the season’s final showdown.
Russell Bautista, Reymon Jaraula, Zanieboy Gialon, Guido van der Valk, Michael Bibat, Dino Villanueva, Gab Manotoc, Elee Bisera, Marvin Dumandan, Ira Alido, Jonas Magcalayo, Kristoffer Arevalo and Jelbert Gamolo are among those expected to figure prominently. Korean campaigners Lee Song, Kim Tae Won and Jisung Cheon, Fil-Am Ivan Yabut, and multi-titled local ace Jhonnel Ababa are likewise poised to make their presence felt in a contest that could turn on the smallest of margins.
The amateur contingent also has plenty to prove, with Alex Bisera, John Bernis and Cagayan de Oro’s Jacob Rolida out to challenge the professionals and make their mark. Rolida, in particular, will be looking to build on his impressive showing at South Pacific, where he tied for 12th with fellow amateur Miguel Ilas before claiming low-amateur honors via countback. TMT
