TORRID START SEEN AS PGT ASIA PRADERA UNWRAPS

In-form Jhonnel Ababa, returning Clyde Mondilla, veteran Tony Lascuña and young talent Justin Quiban brace for an explosive start in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic Wednesday in Lubao, Pampanga.

The rest of the 83-player field have also primed themselves up for this week’s $100,000 championship at the long but flat par-72 Pradera Verde course.

“I feel good of my chances coming off a big win. I just hope I can sustain my form here,” said Ababa, who posted a seven-stroke victory at Eagle Ridge last week, joining the roster of Philippine Golf Tour Asia winners that included Miguel Tabuena (Southwoods), Rene Menor (Splendido), Mondilla (Riviera), Lascuña (Wack Wack) and Quiban (Luisita).

An early shootout looms as Ababa, Mondilla and Lascuña are paired in the featured 8:10 a.m. flight.

“I’m so excited to play this week and I expect it will be four days of solid shotmaking,” said Mondilla, who vied in last week’s Singapore Open where he missed the cut but learned a lot after competing against some of the world’s leading players.

“I guess everybody is in shape and raring to go, so I expect good scoring in the week,” said Lascuña, who beat American Nicolas Paez by two at PGTA Wack Wack but struggled to finish joint 12th in the CAT Open at Luisita last month. He tied for fourth at Eagle Ridge last week.

Lascuña, the four-time PGT Order of Merit winner, underscored his readiness by winning the pro-am tournament on Tuesday, leading his team that included Jay Valdez, Elimar Caranguian and Myrna Enriquez to a 17under 55 card for a twostroke victory over Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Dexter Pelias, Fernando Lim and Louie Inoncillo. Joenard Rates, with Nemi Pagtakhan, Pol Tolentino and Leomax Reyes, pooled a 58 to place third in the 18-hole event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc.

Quiban, who scored a breakthrough in the CAT Open, drew Elmer Salvador and Michael Bibat in the 8:20 a.m. flight.

Meanwhile, Mike Singgaran, designer of the 27-hole layout at Pradera Verde complex, also expects torrid scoring from the elite international cast.