FVR steals show in Mango Tee

MANILA, Philippines -- Former President Fidel V. Ramos found himself in an unfamiliar situation Saturday night, joining the trophy winners of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Mango Tee tournament of the Alabang Country Club co-presented by Pilipinas Shell and Smart Communications.

FVR ended his quest for a trophy in the member-guest event of his home club, teaming up with guest partner Richie Garcia to place second in Class D.

It was FVR’s best finish in his long years of participation in the Mango Tee. FVR accepting a trophy on stage was a refreshing change to his perennial role as the main guest of the event’s opening and awarding ceremonies.

Posting rounds of 72 and 66 for a 138 total, FVR and Garcia lost by 10 points to eventual champions Andres Espiritu and Wellington Lim (74-74-148) but stole the limelight from the other division standouts in the silver anniversary edition of the tourney.

The big trophy champions were Antonio Cailao and Dino Jimenez who took the overall team title and Iggy Clavecilla-Marty Ilagan as the tandem, which returned the lowest gross score.

Cailao and Jimenez’s 157 total completed on Thursday stayed on as the winning score as the rains that drenched the last two rounds of action Friday and Saturday stalled the bids of those still in the running.

Also benefiting from the sudden change in playing conditions were Ricky Crisostomo and son Robbie and Renato Vergel de Dios-Migs Garcia who held on to the top spots in Class B and Class C, respectively.

Class A was won by Monto Briones and Yayi Escuadro who dislodged Sherwin Villareal-Ernest Banaag for the crown with their 73-79-152.