Tigers gain match play thriller

The Tigers banked on the heroics of Greg Yu to pull off a dramatic victory in the second IBank-Xavier Match Play Tournament recently at the Sta. Elena Golf Club course in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Yu buried a 15-foot putt for par to beat low-handicapper Herbert Chan of the heavily-favored CK squad, which made a three-putt error, in the better-ball format. This blunder allowed the Tigers to score a 5.5-3.5 victory.

Yu’s close win secured the victory for the underrated Tigers in the two-stage tournament with a format inspired by the renowned Ryder Cup.

The major sponsors are Heritage Park, Toyota Shaw, Hongkong Shanghai Bank, Deco Centrum, Discovery Spa, Eva Air, Goodyear Tires, Ben Line Agencies, Republic Powdercoat, Stanwood, Fuji/G.E., PLDT and Pharaoh KTV.

Eva Air staked a trip to the United States as a hole-in-one prize but nobody won.

Minor sponsors are Tan&Venturanza Law Offices, Akiga Restaurant, Four Arrows Marketing, Quik Snack, Burlington Socks, Steintek, Copper Trading, Popeye Chicken, Jag Jeans, Fuji-Haya, Oriental Tin, and other individuals. The final standings of the event saw the Dragons claim third place and erstwhile defending champion Standwood 80s bring up the rear.

The four teams played nine different formats: singles, international scramble, 18-hole gross medal, cumulative, four-ball, four-some, regular scramble and high-low.

The tournament was organized by the Xavier ’72 Dragons to benefit the Xavier School Educational and Trust Fund, the PGH Indigent Patient Fund and Notre Dame.