Balase-Opema tiff in women's finals

Monday, October 31, 2011

BACK on the 64-square-board after a long absence, former Olympiad campaigner Woman National Master Loreshyl Cuizon-Balase proved that she still has a sharp mind.

Defeating perennial Palaro qualifier Alyssa Ysaiah Jamaca in the penultimate round, the now-mother of two girls is set for an exciting battle with another Palaro mainstay Julie Anne Opema in the 5th and final round of the Women's Open division.

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Candidate Master Johnnel Balquin earlier defeated Iligan Fiesta Open tormentor Jake "The Snake" Gonzales to grab the Men's Open title of the 1st Karak Tea Open chess tournament at the Day Care Center of Barangay Patag.

"Medyo kulba ang feeling every round kay dugay-dugay na sab ko wala makadula sa tournament. Maayo na sab ang mga bata karon dili na kakumpyansaan," said Cuizon-Balase, once a member of the Philippine women's team when she was still wearing the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws uniform in the UAAP Games.

The 13-year-old Opema dumped Glaiza Canoy to match Cuizon-Balase's perfect score of 4 points.

Still in contention for the top 5 honors are Diane Elizondo, Christine Amper, Venus Banaag, Bhea Ecal and Eure Faith Sabuga. Elizondo beat Angela Lapore, Amper whipped Vanessa Magno, Ecal drubbed Lorie Mae Padilla and Sabuga tripped Airies Yecyec.

Dueling it out in the wide-open race for the Class B crown are the foursome of veterans Neron Khu, Elizer Canlas, Venancio Quijano and Elias Balase in the company of youthful rivals Charles Joseph Laya, William Joseph Cayaba, Chezter Jason Coquilla, Cedric Abao and Edcel John Amper.

The pre-Halloween chessfest that attracted around 200 players is sponsored by fresh-from-Dubai Engr. Tito Z. Opema with the full backing of Barangay Patag chairman Benedicto A. Fabricante, Edgardo C. Diano and fellow engineers Helbert R. Cual, Santiago L. Saludes and Jonard B. Tagalog.