LYCEUM TOPS SPARTAN PHILIPPINE INTER-COLLEGIATE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---THE Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A reigned supreme in the recent Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship at the Library and Media Room of Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila on Wednesday.

Playing under the watchful eye of head coach eng'r Christopher Cunanan, the Pirates composed by International Master Joel Pimentel, Mark Prince Aquino, Francis Ligon, Jan Francis Mirano and Romy Fagon scored 24.5 points to capture the crown in the men's division.

Tied for second to third place with 22.5 points each are National University of coach Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr. spearheaded by Vince Angelo Medina, Austin Jacob Literatus, John Ray Batucan, Jefferson Mansanero and Virgen Gil Ruaya and San Sebastian College-Recoletos of coach National Master Homer Cunanan led by International Master elect Mari Joseph Turqueza, Adrian Perez, Alexis Maribao, Arvie Jongko and Drexter Saquilayan.

Fourth to fifth place with 21.0 points each are Adamson University of coach Christopher Rodriguez bannred by Mark Kevin Labog, Jerome Villanueva, Ali Guya, Einnar Reyes and John Eric Margarito and Arellano University of National Master Rudy Ibanez comprised by Kevin Arquero, Don Tyrone delos Santos, Jeffrey Ravago, Jaymarc Gutierrez and Michael Nigel Penero.

The straight nine Round Swiss-System tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., hosted by  President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and NCFP Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

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Other participating team were Far Eastern University Team B (20 points); University of Sto. Tomas (19.0 points), Far Eastern University Team A (19.0 points); University of the Philippines (17.5 points); Rizal Technological University (16.0 points); Lyceum of the Philippines University Team B (14.5 points) and University of Batangas (12.5 points).

Adjudged individual top three finishers were the following: Board 1 IM Joel Pimentel of Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A (8/9); Adrian Perez of San Sebastian College-Recoletos (6.5/9) and IM elect Mari Joseph Turqueza of San Sebastian College-Recoletos (6.5/9).

No less than NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Asia’s First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and International Arbiter Gene Poliarco have presided in giving the awards to the winners during the closing rites.