(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Vic Vic Villavicencio

AND when the dust of sports angling battle settled, the year's top angler turned out to be a lady.

Going into the final competition for the year, at the bass fishing tournament in Lumot Lake in Laguna, it was still veteran Rico Gueco enjoying a slim lead over the other veterans for the year's top PGFF honors. Just a little bit of luck, even just a third place finish, and Rico could still win the year's race. A win by someone not in the immediate circle of leaders would also have made the day for the angling PAL steward.

But they did not reckon with the fishing savvy of the year's Heavy Tackle Angler whose points put her up there with the heavyweight men fishers. Lo and behold, Mayenn Ordoveza, with teammate Boy Bolos, turned in an event two dozen bass with an aggregate weight of 13.454 kg. When the points were added up, it was clear that the lady had outfished them all-to become the PGFF's Angler of the Year for 2002!

The boys were sporting enough to cheer for Mayenn who, obviously had been seriously after the title, indicated by her reaction: ''I made it. I made it. I made it!''

So, you see, the fishing sport is not a field exclusively for men. Talk of lady anglers always brings to mind names like Pat Osias, Rosie Valencia, Tina Bernasconi . . .

Rico Gueco consoles himself with the Light Tackle Angler of the Year title, even as Mayenn also holds the year's Heavy Tackle Angler of the Year Honors.

The PGIF has scheduled the awards ceremonies on Dec. 17.