Tuesday, November 28, 2006 UV student guns for 3rd place in World Scrabble qualifying
THEODORO Martus Jr. remains in contention for a top three finish after the third leg series of the 2007 World Scrabble Championship Qualifying and National Scrabble Candidates Matches last Sunday at the Agua Caliente resort in Old Pansol, Calamba, Laguna.
Martus, a senior college student of the University of Visayas (UV), lost in his last round assignment to Mario Recides of Manila in the 18-round king-of-the-hill tournament format.
After the loss, the UV word wizard salvaged fifth place with nine wins and a plus 460 spread in the Laguna leg, but still had the firm hold of third place of the series with 45 points, behind leaders Ronald Creedo of Manila and lawyer Odette Rio of Iloilo City.
Creedo collected 60 points after the leg to take the driver’s seat in the series, while the Rio followed close with 55 points to settle in second spot.
“Kung nidaug lang ko kang Recides, maka-gain unta ko og points para kusog pa ang akong contention nga ma-first sa whole legs (Had I won over Recides, I would have gained points to remain in strong contention for first in the rest of the legs),” said Martus, adding that he would land third place in the leg had he beat Recides.
Miscalculation
Martus further said that he miscalculated his tiles when he was up four points, and allowed Recides to bingo up his tiles.
UV alumni Orville Alagaban landed on fifth place in the series with 34 points behind Nora Lapok of Manila.
However, Rio topped the leg with 11 wins and a plus 600 spread, while Creedo went behind in second with identical 11 wins but had only a plus 500 spread.
Martus said that what is more important for him is to get one of the three slots in the four-leg qualifying tournament, which will end in March in Manila.
But Martus expressed some dismay after tournament officials announced that the champion of the four-leg series will have to shoulder his expenses.
“Bahala na, basta ang importante masulod ko sa top three for my first shot in the World Championships (What’s important is I get into the top three),” said Martus. (JAF)
