by Marlon Bernardino
Final Standings: (Seven Round Swiss System)
6.5 points---NM Julius Sinangote
6.0 points---Recarte Tiauson
5.5 points---NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Adrian Perez, Alexis Emil Maribao, Rodolfo Panopio Jr.
5.0 points---Lawrence Magura, Emil Chua, Francis Eugene Dimarcucut, Marlon Constantino, Naciso Gumila Jr., NM Louie Pablo, Richard dela Cruz

BACOLOR, Pampanga---Former Rizal Technological University (RTU) mainstay National Master (NM) Julius "Ashitaba Boy" Sinangote trounced Emil Chua in the seventh and final round to win the Pampanga Chess Challenge II Open division on Sunday, February 18, 2018 held here at the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Sinangote, top player of Maravril enterprises collected 6.5 points on six wins and a draw to win the Seven Round Swiss system tournament which organized Batch 1983 of Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trade (DHVCAT) in close cooperation with Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) SUC President III Enrique G. Baking.
National Master Ronald Llavanes, National Arbiter Alfredo Chay, Mr. Jose Fernando Camaya, Mr. Edward Serrano and Mr. Ashley Quiazon officiated the said chessfest.
Recarte Tiauson, Technical Support Representative of RingCentral in Worldwide Corporate Center Building in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, on the other hand was at solo second place with 6.0 points.
The Talisay, Negros Occidental native Tiauson whose local and international chess tournament sponsored by Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and RingCentral Director Joey Llanko, defeated National University (NU) bet Lawrence Magura in the last round.
Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Adrian Perez, Alexis Emil Maribao and Rodolfo Panopio Jr. ended with similar 5.5 points, but Bernardino took the third place honors by virture of a higher-tie break output.
The undefeated Bernardino, a sportswriter in profession who notch four wins and three draws would like to thank ABC president Marlon Manalo, chairman of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City, Philippine Executive Chess Association(PECA) president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, Dr. Jenny Mayor, Dr. Alfredo Paez, National Master (NM) Efren Bagamasbad, International Memory Champion Roberto Racasa, Olympian Woman National Master (WNM) Cristina Santos, 1996 Philippine Junior Champion National Master Roberto Suelo Jr.and Jaime Tiburcio for their moral support.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Magura of National University led the huge group of 5.0 pointers that includes Emil Chua, Francis Eugene Dimarucut, Marlon Constantino, Naciso Gumila Jr., National Master (NM) Louie Pablo and Richard dela Cruz.
Adjudged category winners were John Michael Magpily of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Top College) and National Master (NM) Efren Bagamasbad (Top Senior)