Magcalayo nails Mercedes plum, Aussie finals slot

Joey Magcalayo played steady on the backside with a slew of birdies in each nine to finish with a net three-under-par 69 for 39 points to win the Division A crown of the 10th MercedesTrophy National Final at Sta. Elena Golf Club.

Magcalayo, a 7-handicapper, actually wound up tied with Manny Angeles but the former was declared the winner because of a lower handicap.  Angeles has a handicap of 11.

“I’m really looking forward to the trip to Australia,” said Magcalayo, who earned a slot to the squad that will represent the Philippines in the MercedesTrophy Asian final in August.

Angeles, bidding for a second title, will also join the Auto Nation Group-led contingent headed by  CATS Motors president Felix Ang.

Other winners were Manalo Agojo (Division B),  Ronald Paulo (Division C) and Marissa Vergara (Ladies’ division).

Agojo made 41 to beat Steven Uy by one while Megawide vice president for operations Paulo signed for 40 to upend Nissan Car Lease Philippines president Louie Banson’s 39.

Vergara scored a 72 in the System 36 play for the ladies plum.