by Marlon Bernardino
Final Standings: (Eight Round Swiss-system, 176 player's field)
7.0 points---IM Paolo Bersamina, NM Jerad Docena, GM Darwin Laylo
6.5 points---IM Ronald Dableo, FM Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza, GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Jerome Villanueva, Antonio Chavez Jr.
INTERNATIONAL MASTER (IM) Paulo Bersamina halved the point with 13-times Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. in the eight and final round to rule the Chief PNP Cup King of the Board Push Pawns Not Drugs Rapid Open Chess Tournament Sunday night, May 13, 2018 at the Philippine National Police Gymnasium in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Bersamina, actually finished tied with International Master elect Jerad Docena and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo with 7.0 points after eight rounds but the three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player took the crown with a superior tiebreak score, 42.5, 39, 39.

Docena beat 2018 Vigan City Palarong Pambansa gold medallist Julius Gonzales while Laylo defeated Guadalupe blitz king Sherwin Tiu to tie Bersamina.

Bersamina, the top player of multi-titled National University (NU) chess team playing under the tutelage of Team Manager Samson Go and coach USCF chess master Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr., pocketed the top prize of P10,000 plus elegant trophy from tournament director SPO3 Jomar Pascua, NCFP treasurer and PECA president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe.

2nd place Docena, meantime received P7,000 plus elegant trophy while 3rd place Laylo went home P5,000 plus elegant trophy in the one day supported by PMA Class 92 PSSUPT Jose Melencio Nartatez, PSSUPT Jonnel C. Estomo, PNP chess club adviser PSUPT Jonas Escarcha and PSUPT Peter Limbauan of PNP Special Service which attracted 176 chess woodpushers.

Rounding up the top 8 were IM Ronald Dableo, FM Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza, GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Jerome Villanueva and Antonio Chavez Jr.

Another National University top gunner Woman Fide Master (WFM) Allanney Jia Doroy won the top lady performer.-Marlon Bernardino-