Oro chessers stamp class in Malaybalay

CAGAYAN de Oro woodpushers made their presence felt in the cash-rich 26th Barroso Cup Chess Tournament concluded last Sunday at Bukidnon State University Auditorium in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

They were so dominant in all fronts of battle with Larry Dumadag Team A, composed of Nazario Ubanan, Christopher Randolph Dalauta and Paciano Gulle, lording it over in team chess competition, and National Master Levi Mercado sharing the top honors with local hero Ronnie Pujas in blitz and rapid events.

In an awesome display of chess prowess, Team Dumadag A shutdown Bear Brand of Johnnel Balquin, Eutemio Coquilla and Edward Tare in the final sixth round to bring home the title in the 3-man team rivalry.

The Ubanan-led team finished with 11 points on five wins and a lone draw from DPWH DCDEO.

Last Samurai grabbed the second place with 10 points, while Team Orbe Pagadian placed third with 9 points.

Team Orbe Iligan, Larry Dumadag B, DPWH-DCDEO, Royal Knights, Bear Brand and Bupharco Knights shared joint third to eighth places with eight points, respectively.

In the individual event, Pujas defended turf after defeating the heavily-favored Harrison Maamo of Davao City in the final eighth round to clinch the rapid title.

Yielding just once to NM Rustum Tolentino of Cagayan de Oro, Pujas amassed 7 points en route to a crowning glory.

Pujas actually had similar output with second-running Balquin whom he conquered in the early round, thus winning the top prize via `winner over the other’ tiebreaker.

Tolentino, Maamo, Reynaldo Quinonez and Mercado occupied joint third to sixth places with 6.5 points apiece.

Suffering from abdominal pain, Mercado bucked the unfavourable condition by topping the individual blitz competition.

Both Mercado and Jones Maghuyop of Pagadian City finished in a tie after splitting the point in the final sixth round. But Mercado earned the title by virtue of superior tiebreak points.

Maghuyop took the second prize with Balquin and Tolentino settling at third and fourth with identical 5 points.