Arena Grand Master (AGM) Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. scored 1.5 points in the last two rounds to emerge as the overall champion in the Black and White Chess Tournament 2019 (Open event) at the 3rd floor, Activity Area, Pacific Mall in Lucena City last Sunday.
The former Rizal Technological University standout Bernardino whose stint here is backed up by Barangay Malamig chairman and International Billiards Champion Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo halved the point with Mikhail Laoagan in the sixth and penultimate round then beat Rafael Dionisio in the seventh and final round.
He finished with 6.5 points on account of six wins and one draw in the seven-round tournament, which was organized by the The Honor Society of the Lambda Kappa Phi headed by its president Clifford "Jac" De Dios, Chairperson Andre Justine "Niko" Puri and Co-chair Alfredo "Merq" Camelon and supported by local government of Lucena City led by mayor Roderick A. Alcala and the city council, arbiters Renato V. Sales, Eduardo Q. Santelices, Janglie Lita and Pacific Mall. Bernardino was awarded the top prize of P5,000 plus trophy.
Laoagan, the pride of Tiaong, Quezon, meantime bested Noel Glifonea in the final canto to finished solo second place with 6.0 points. Laoagan pocketed runner-up prize of P3,000 plus trophy for his effort.
Three players – Rigor Padernal, Renier John Mamba and Gabriel Paril – shared third to fifth places with 5.5 points.