FORMER national champion Mark Fernando stepped up his game when he needed to the most as he sank several clutch putts to down Jessie Balasabas, with a 71 and capture the P2.5 million ICTSI Riviera Classic at Langer Course in Cavite yesterday.
Fernando led by as many as five strokes in the final round and finally broke a two-year drought since winning the Calatagan Challenge in 2011.
The 32-year-old Fernando pooled a 72-hole total of four-under 280 aggregate and secured his biggest earning to date worth P450,000.
For a while, it seemed as if Balasabas would make it interesting as he came within two strokes with back-to-back birdies. However, he faded back after three-putting the 17th hole, to virtually seal the win for Fernando. He settled for a 70 for second at 283 and pocketed the biggest winnings in his chosen sport worth P320,000. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio