MANILA—A star-studded, wide-open battle is expected starting Wednesday when the ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational tees off at the tree-lined old course in Davao where Juvic Pagunsan reigned supreme the last two years.

Pagunsan seeks to pull off another first on the local tour by winning an event for three straight years, but he will have to try it against the country’s finest with aces Angelo Que and Frankie Miñoza both seeing action.

Miguel Tabuena, the reigning Asian Games silver medal winner, also returns to the fold to join other such standouts as Freddie Aunzo, Antonio Lascuña and former Philippine Open champions Cassius Casas, Elmer Salvador, Artemio Murakami and Robert Pactolerin.

Pactolerin led his team to victory in yesterday’s Pro-Am, teaming up with Agustin Docdocil, Lor Alaan and King Rivas for a 19-under-par 51 over the long layout considered as one of the country’s toughest.

Mhark Fernando and partners Andrew Bautista, Ronnie Magsico and Oscar Garcia came in second with 53 while Randy Geralde teamed up with Bong Cabang, Jun Singson and Benjie Leparto for third place with a 55.

“The fairways and greens are hard, but the key here will be on putting,” Marvin Dumandan, another product of this course, said in Filipino.

“We really have to step up, defend our turf and stop Juvic,” said Casas, who last won in ICTSI Del Monte last year, also in Filipino. “But it won’t be easy, Apo requires a solid all-around game to score here.”

Pagunsan has won this event with ease the last two years, ruling it by six shots over Murakami and Jerome Delariarte in 2009 before turning back Aunzo and Elmer Saban—both former Apo caddies— by four shots last year.

The talented former Asian Tour Rookie of the Year will be seeking to win a fourth title this season.

The circuit is organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tour and backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Empire Golf & Sports Shop, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.