Manila---Natalo ni Kevin Arquero ang lahat ng kanyang unang anim na kalaban bago nahati ang puntos sa kanyang huling laban para magkampeon sa GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess tournament na ginanap sa 3rd floor Robinsons Mall, Galleria, Ortigas corner Edsa, Quezon City noong nakaraang Sabado, Marso 23.
Ang kanyang draw kay NM Oscar Joseph Cantela ang nanguna sa kanyang kampanya para manalo sa torneo na inorganisa ng Bayanihan Chess Club na pinamumunuan nina co-founding chairman Dr. Joe Balinas at Engr. Antonio "Uncle Paps" Balinas sa pakikipagtulungan ni Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez.
Tinapos ng nangungunang manlalaro ng Cavite Spartans chess team ng PCAP ang 7-Round Swiss System tournament na may 6.5 puntos sa 1-araw na event na sinuportahan ng pamilyang Balinas, Shimmer & Shield Car Coating President/CEO Jeff Bugayong, RDR Business Solution Inc. President/ CEO/Pambansang Business Mentor Reymond Delos Reyes, Atty. Juman Paa, Atty. Rodolfo Enrique "Rudy" Rivera, Atty. Nikki de Vega, Dr. Ariel Potot, Engr. Roger Reyes, G. Travis Vincent Chua, G. Jessie Villasin, G. Jojo Legaspi, G. Mark John Centillo, G. Andrew Elpedes, Mam Kathryn Ann-Hardegen, Mam Jennifer Cruz, IDIM DIY Bakery, Nova Wellness Store, Starshots Coffee , Byaherong Arbiter, at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas.
Tinalo ni Arquero, isang miyembro ng multi-titled Philippine Army chess team sina Yureeh Panganiban, Mark Gerald Reyes, NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan, Benjie Bercadez, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia at GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., ayon sa pagkakabanggit
"Winning this tournament means a lot to me. It will inspire me and motivate me to strive more in my future chess tournament," sabi ni Arquero na nagpapasalamat sa Pamilya Balinas an nag suporta ng nasabing chess event tungo sa pagtangap ng top purse P10,000 sa kanyang effort.
Si Cantela, isang Grade 11 - Senior High ng FEU Diliman na ang pinagmulan ay Masbate, sa kabilang banda, ay nakipag-triple tie kasama sina Antonio at 8-time US champion IM Angelo Abundo Young na may katulad na 6.0 puntos ngunit si Antonio ang kumuha sa sa ikalawang puwesto sa bisa ng mas mataas na tie-breaker.
Nakatanggap si Antonio ng P5,000, habang sina Young at Cantela ay nakakuha ng P2,500 at P500 para sa pagwawakas sa ikatlo at ikaapat, ayon sa pagkakabanggit.
"I am very happy with my performance because almost all of the top players in Metro Manila and nearby provinces joined the tournament," sambit ng 16-anyos na residente ng Barangay San Juan uno, City of General Trias Cavite.
"I would like to Hon. Luis Chavit Singson, Cong. Bryan Revilla & Revilla family in City of Bacoor for supporting my participation in the GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess tournament ,” ani pa ni Cantela.
Sina Garcia, FM Randy Segarra, Rommel Lucion ang nagtapos sa torneo na may katulad na 5.5 puntos; habang sina Bercadez, CM Genghis Imperial, NM Lorenzo Aaron Cantela, Tristan Jared Cervero, Jerich Cajeras, IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad at Rosaupan ay may magkaparehong 5.0 puntos.
Ang anim na taong gulang na si Almario Marlon I "Baby Uno" Bernardino ang pinakabatang kalahok.
Ang mga nanalo sa kategorya ay sina Alvarez (Top IIEE), Cervero (Top Non-Master), Cajeras (Top School Coach), Bagamasbad (Top Senior 65 over category), Rodolfo Panopio Jr. (Top Senior 50 to 64 year old), Luffe Magdalaga (Top Online Chess Coach), NM Jasper Faeldonia (Top Romblon chess club), Jaime Criste (Top Novelty chess club), Robert Racasa (Top Kaizen chess club adult), Jerry Areque (Top Cubao attackers chess club), WNM Ma. Elayza Villa (Top Lady master), Natasja Jasmine Balabbo (Top Lady non-master), Princess Nicole Ballete (Top Espana chess club), Patrick Bonifacio (Top Guadalupe chess club) at Elmer Claveria (Top PWD). -Marlon Bernardino-
Caption photo:
Sina IM Angelo Abundo Young at NM Nika Juris Nicolas, Engr. Roger Reyes at GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. , Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) National Past President Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez at IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad ay nag shake hands sa ceremonial moves para hudyat na pangunahan ang pagbubukas ng GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open rapid chess tournament na ginanap sa 3rd floor Robinsons Mall, Galleria, Ortigas corner Edsa, Quezon City noong Sabado, Marso 23.