Jhonnel Ababa hit three key birdies coming home while everyone else was struggling to save pars to win the ICTSI Philippine Masters at the Villamor Golf Club on Saturday.

"Despite trailing most of the way, I knew I had a chance. I told myself that I needed just two birdies at the back to gain a shot (at the crown). Eh, naka-tatlo pa," said Ababa whose closing one-under-par 71 gave him a one-shot victory over overnight leaders Joenard Rates and Guido van der Valk who each carded a 74.

Ababa, who reached the turn on even par, birdied 13, 14 and 16 to build a three-shot lead going into the final two holes.

However, the Davao-born pro hit the water for the second straight day on the short par-3 17th hole for a double bogey.

Nursing a one-shot lead, Ababa parred the 18th hole and braced himself for a possible playoff.

Van der Valk and Rates, however, saw their birdie attempts on 18 fail, handing the title to Ababa who began the day two shots off the pace.

Ababa wound up on 3-under 285, one of only four players who broke par in the final round.

Rates began with a birdie but bogeyed 3, 7 and 9. He birdied 11 but dropped another shot on 14.

Van der Valk made only one birdie against three bogeys. He had a chance to force a playoff when his second shot on the par-5 finishing hole hit the green and ended in the rough. He chipped 14 feet short of the cup and missed the tying putt.

Keanu Jahns, rebounding from a poor 78 in the third round, shot a 71 to take fourth spot on 1-under  while Reymon Jaraula carded a 71 for fifth on even par.

The low amateur title went to Gary Sales who returned a 78 for a share of 16th place with former Masters champion Jerson Balasabas.

The leading scores:

285 — Jhonnel Ababa 69-71-74-71

286 — Joenard Rates 65-71-76-74, Van der Valk 70-67-75-74

287 — Keanu Jahns 71-67-75-74

288 — Reymon Jaraula 70-74-72-72

289 — Kim Min Seong 77-71-73-68

290 — Fidel Concepcion 74-72-70-74, Nilo Salahog 70-74-73-73

291 — Rho Hyun Ho 69-78-75-69

292 — Marvin Dumandan 71-70-73-78

293 — Elmer Salvador 73-74-71-75

294 — Elee Bisera 77-73-72-72, Bonifacio Salahog 72-75-70-77

295 — Frankie Minoza 74-77-71-73, Gerald Rosales 71-73-72-79

296 — Jerson Balasabas 76-75-73-72, Gary Sales (am) 72-70-76-78

297 — Russell Bautista 74-74-75-74

300 — Dan Emilio Cruz 74-78-75-73, Rico Depilo 72-74-75-79, Robert Pactolerin 75-73-74-78, Richard Sinfuego 77-70-79-74

301 — Jay Bayron 71-72-79-79, Rupert Zaragosa 77-76-70-78.