Juvic repulses Dabawenyo, wins again

BINANGONAN, Rizal – Juvic Pagunsan overcame Dabawenyo Marvin Dumandan’s fiery rally that featured two eagles and battled back from one stroke down in the last four holes to eke out a one-shot victory with a closing 67 in the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic here, Friday.
Pagunsan birdied No. 15 to draw level then made clutch putts in the last three holes to nip Dumandan, who three-putted No. 16 but shot a 65, and pocket his second straight victory on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour and third overall in four tournaments.
He wound up with a nine-under 204 at the par-71 Eastridge Golf Club, taking another P200,000 that hiked his earnings in the early going of the 17-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to a whopping P850,000 total.
That included the P450,000 he won in the P2.5 million ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship two weeks ago where he closed out with a record setting 63 to beat Elmer Salvador by five.
He didn’t need another course mark to win again this week but instead showed resiliency in turning back a charging Dumandan and keeping his streak going in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
"I just waited for my chance and when it came, I didn't waste time to grab it," said Pagunsan in Filipino, during awards rites graced by Eastridge general manager Erwin Temena.
Dumandan, three down behind Pagunsan and a flight ahead of the championship group at the start of the final round, moved within one with a 32 after at the turn, spiked by a pitch-in eagle on the par-5 No. 2. He hit another eagle on No. 13 to seize a one-stroke lead over Pagunsan, who later parred the par-5 hole.
But Dumandan, who withdrew at the Orchard due to chest pains, missed a crucial par-putt from six feet on No. 15 then flubbed a tying six-foot birdie putt on the 18th to yield the crown. He finished with a 205 worth P120,000.
“My par putt lipped out on No. 15 and missed a short birdie putt on the 18th,” rued Dumandan, the winningest player with three legs wins last year. "But I'm still happy with my performance."
Erstwhile co-leader Artemio Murakami matched Pagunsan’s opening 34 and actually wrested control with back-to-back birdies from No. 10 but double-bogeyed No. 14 and made back-to-back bogeys from No. 16 agaisnt a birdie on the 15th for a 70, dropping to joint third with Ferdie Aunzo, who rallied with a 66, and first round leader Arnold Villacencio, who fought back with a 68, at 207.
Ruben Sasutil shot a 69 while rookie pro Miguel Tabuena matched par 71 as they shared sixth place at  211 while Rufino Bayron and Richard Sinfuego fired identical 71s for joint eighth at 212. Gene Bondoc and Randy Garalde both turned in a 69 to share 10th place with Gene Bondoc (69), Randy Garalde (69),
Robert Pactolerin (70), Elmer Salvador (72) and Jhonnel Ababa (73) at 213.
The event was backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno,PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.[PR]