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Prodigies, veterans shine at PH National Chess Championships

By Jessica M. Bacud

ALICIA, Isabela—The 2023 Philippine National Children, Juniors, and Seniors Chess Championships concluded on May 30 in Alicia, Isabela, with Adrian Pacis, the Philippines’ first FIDE Master, leading the winners.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines Region II Director Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro embarked on the holding of the tournament to promote competitive grounds and national-level chess contests in the Cagayan Valley region.

Alejandro said they will start an inter-provincial chess tournament and establish a chess club in order to encourage the youth, who have the potential to excel in this mind sport.

Adrian Pacis, the Philippines’ first FIDE Master, won the first National Seniors, maintaining his lead over seeded International Master Chito Garma after winning the direct encounter tiebreak with 6/7 points, outplaying his rival’s French Defense in Round 4.

With 4.5 points, National Master Edmundo Gatus finished third, followed by Reymundo Buenavida and Lionel Cerezo.

Wilson Laggui and Esteban Dayag were named Top Isabela Seniors 65+ and 50+, respectively.

Dasmarinas bet, IM Michael Concio Jr. won with 7.5 points, winning by half-point against UAAP Season 85 Most Valuable Player, NM Christian Marcelo Olaybal of Far Eastern University from Binangonan in a Four Knights’ struggle during the final and ninth rounds of the Junior Boys’ division.

Former leader Jan Clifford Labog of Solano slammed Concio with an unstoppable kingside attack in Round 7, but lost the championship to SEA Games Qualifying

Grand Finalist Chester Neil Reyes of Rodriguez, who finished second with 7 points in the final round.

Labog finished third, one point ahead of FEU’s Oscar Joseph Cantela and General Trias in the Bucholz tiebreak, with 6.5 points, while Prince Ivan Coloma was named Top Isabela Junior.

Ma. Elayza Villa of National University from General Trias was able to consolidate and turn the tables from a losing position in her last round against Far Eastern University’s reserve, Sheila Mer Donoga, to crown herself Juniors Girls’ champion, thereby edging the 14-year-old

UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year, WNM Ruelle Canino from FEU with 7.5 points in the final tally.

Bonjoure Fille Suyamin of General Trias finished third with 7 points, upsetting World Juniors’ veteran and last season’s UAAP MVP, WNM Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of FEU from Apayao, who finished fourth, only half a point behind Suyamin. Aira Mae Babasa won first place in the Isabela Girls’ category.

Phil Martin Casiguran of Caloocan won the Under 12 Years Old Boys’ title after splitting the point with Tuguegarao’s Joash Alton Gumiran to get a higher Bucholz against Ilagan’s Jaycol Sodela with 7.5 points, while Pat Ferdolf Macabulos of Abucay finished third after beating Tuguegarao’s Kyle Sander Balao. Top Isabela, U8, U9, U10, and U11 Boys were won by David Voltaire Gabayan, seven-year-old Zeus Lester Manaois from Laguna, ACM Seigneur Juancho Ferrer of Cagayan, Ricky Ryan Besco of Camarines Sur, and AFM Joash Alton Gumiran of Tuguegarao, respectively.

“This is to me why it is important to do yet another staging of the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines—to help re-shape the world that was hit by a severe health crisis to become stronger and healthier,” said Greg Banzon, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the sponsoring Century Pacific Food, Inc.

Through its flagship brand Century Tuna, CPFI has been at the forefront of triathlon since the early days of organized racing.

From small community races to the national age group triathlon series and the IRONMAN branded 5150s, 70.3s and even the first full IRONMAN, also in Subic, in 2018, Century Tuna has helped stage and sponsor these races to develop the sport while promoting a way of life that embraces regular exercise and healthy nutrition to improve one’s overall well-being.

“We are happy to see that our efforts to grow the sport over the many years through Century Tuna seems to have borne fruit given the very many organized races in many parts of the country we see today,” added Banzon.

A huge field braces for another test of power and stamina in the upcoming centerpiece event with another big set of bidders also all geared up for their own side of the racing duel in the Subic IRONMAN 70.3 to be disputed over the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run distance.

“However, what is even more important is that the third staging of the full IRONMAN signals the return of big triathlon racing in the country. And nothing is bigger than a full distance IM event,” said Banzon.

Registration is ongoing. For listup, visit www.ironman.com/ironmanphilippines or www.ironman. com/im703-subicbay.

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