UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) player John Ray Batucan emerged champion in the Jardin del Roca Pool Chess Tournament 2019 held in Toril, Davao City.

Toril-based Batucan, seeded seventh at the start of the chessfest presented by lawyer Jong Guevarra, Jr. scored perfect five points after shocking second seed John Christian Lesaca in the second round and third seed national master (NM) Macacuna Macala in their fifth round match.

Batucan, who also won the 2017 title, outclassed Ira Jed De Castro, Jayson Salubre and Anthony Mosqueda.

Macala and top seed Fide master (FM) Austin Jacob Literatus placed second and third, respectively. Both earned four points each along with Lesaca and Rodrigo Catayas.

Trailing behind were Irik Khamidulin, Salubre, Mosqueda, Reynaldo Gempero, Jr. and Perkins Bayron.