THE Philippine National Police (PNP) rebounded from his third round loss on Monday with a crucial fourth round victory on Wednesay to stay in contention of the AFP-PNP-PCG Olympics 2018 Chess Team Championships at the PNP Sports Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Backed up by PSSUPT Jonnel Estomo, the Philippine National Police was among the tournament leaders after two rounds but suffered a third round setback to Philippine Army, 4.5-7.5.

“With a Double Round-Robin format, it’s still anybody’s race,” said Philippine National Police coaches SPO3 Jomes Mendoza Pascua and SPO1 Renato "Buboy" Abalos.

But the Philippine National Police gallantly fought hard to beat the Philippine Airforce, 8-4, in Round 4, thanks to National Master SPO2 Ali Branzuela, National Master PO2 Rolando Andador, PSUPT Jaime Osit Santos and PSI Horizon Villanueva who toppled their respective rivals.

NM Branzuela defeated International Master A2C Richilieu Salcedo, NM Andador beat NM SGT Raymond Salcedo, Santos dealt CPT Mark Buscas and Villanueva trounced 1LT Jess Pinalgan.

It shall be recalled that NM Branzuela held GM candidate Ronald Dableo into a fighting draw, NM Andador upset IM Joel Pimentel, Santos failed to convert his advantage position losing to LTC Lebrito Olmuguez and Villanueva trounced CPT Marlou Daguio as PNP chess team yielded to Philippine Army chess squad, 4.5-7.5, in Round 3.

In other results of Police versus Airforce, PINSP Ferdinand Aterrado defeated Rhyan Reyes and PSUPT Antonieto Canete won by default against Col. Aldrick Dela Torre.

PCINSP Alfred Arturo split the point with CPT Delfin Bolla as did so PO2 Leandro Macasinag over SSGT Onofre Espiritu, SPO3 Ruvillo Paulin over SGT Allan Cantonjos and PO2 Jones Maghuyop versus A2C Lennon Hart Salgados.
1LT Ryan Castro and A2C Sheider Nebato provided twin wins of Airforce by beating PINSP Ronald Agabao and PO3 Ernie Abanco.-Marlon Bernardino-