Balasabas scores breakthrough at PH Masters

Jerson Balasabas ended a long quest for a breakthrough win the hard way, recovering from a wobbly finish in regulation and edging Dutch Guido Van der Valk on the first sudden death hole to snare the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters crown at the Villamor Golf Club on Saturday.

The former amateur hotshot, who has gone without a win since breaking into the pro ranks in 2010, toughened up in a pressure-laden finish, coming through with a routine par on their second trip at the par-5 18th to clinch the coveted crown as Van der Valk overshot the green and muffed his par-putt bid from 15 feet.