De Dios claims VGC ladies crown

MANILA, Philippines — Chrystal Faith de Dios struggled in the rains during the stroke play eliminations but sizzled in match play on the way to claiming the ladies crown in the VGC (Veterans Golf Club) 2026 Club Championship Saturday.

The 40-year-old entrepreneur emerged the seventh seed from the 36-hole elims and fought her way to the championship with victories over Evangeline Bradly, Lea Madriaga at Shirelyn Fortuna in the knockout round.

The biggest highlight of her title run was a long-putt eagle on the par-5 15th hole that sealed her conquest of defending champion Madriaga in the semifinals.

The quarters and the finals were both a grind ending in final-hole thriller for the eventual champion.

De Dios sunk a regulation par as against Fortuna’s bogey in the par-4 18th for the win and the ticket to the National Tournament of Club Champions.

“Ang sama ng laro ko sa elims, pero piniga ko sa match play,” said De Dios.