Monday, October 09, 2006 Women domination in Baguio Scrabble tourney seen
WILL women power prevail anew in the 15 x 15 board?
Will the members of the fairer gender top the male-dominated Philippine Scrabble scene when the "Baguio Scrabble Tournament" kicks off on October 14 and 15 at the Villa Cordillera?
Two-time defending champion Odette Rio is expected to come up to Baguio for a grand slam and prove anew that she is the person to beat here. She has won all but one of the nine tournaments she has joined in the past three years here.
Rio, along with local bet Malou Coronacion, dominated the "Baguio Day Open" last month and both are expected to claim dominion of the male dominated sport.
Rio has been the most dominating scrabbler since outside players started joining in 2003.
The domination included Leonora Labog, the first Filipino player to score 700 plus points in a single game. Labog is expected to give a good showing in the event backed by National Immigration Administration (NIA) Chief Arturo Lomibao, Villa Cordillera and Lexico.
Coronacion upended Laguna-based player and former top Filipino rated Vir Morales in the last round to win the open division of the Baguio Day special.
Up to stop the march of women is top rated and Candidates Match leader Ronald Credo, Rio 's virtual nemesis, and a bunch of top rated players, including retirees Antonio Malonzo, Andy Aquino and Mario Miranda as well as Hyatt Basman.
Locally it will be Baguio's highest rated player William Caluza and 24-hour marathon winner Abe Gogoling. If she wins, it would be Rio's third straight title in the tournament. (Press Release)
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