AS THE top-seeded bets ruled in higher age brackets, little-known Sebastian Marbas of Capitol University’s CUBED Grade School surprisingly topped the Grade 1-3 category of the recent Chessmoms Inter-School chess tournament at Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.
Marbas stunned the field that he even finished undefeated (6 of 6) in taking the crown of the day-long rapid chessfest that attracted some 120 participants from the different private and public schools in the locality.
For his feat, Marbas received the P1,500 top purse plus trophy.
“Basta permi lang ang padula sa mga bata naa gyoy ma-develop,” said the youthful Randolph Dalauta, among the local coaches that brought competitive chess combatants in elementary level.
Placing runner-up behind Marbas is Jesheene Ybur Careras of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon who edged fellow 5 pointers Paulo Efren Castino and Mary Janelle Tan, both from Jasaan, Misamis Oriental in the Bucholz tiebreaker.
Careras got P1,000, while Castino and Tan, who settled for third and fourth, respectively, were awarded P700 and P500 apiece.
Rounding up the top-10 finishers were Carl Lawrence Gayangan, Maria Theresa Lumancas, Misty Nicole Balacuit, Prince Rowson Alaba, Kyle Joseph Adriel Palatan and Jim Lagunay.
The troika of Christian King Santua, Yvenze Ihong and Arabella Junio were all cited as top 6 years old and under performers.
Santiago Lumancas IV of Lumbia Elementary School also relied on superior tiebreak points to nose out fellow 6.5 pointers Lyn Getubig of Tagoloan Central School for the Grade 4-6 division title.
Same with David Rey Ancheta of Corpus Christi School who ran away with the secondary plum after better tiebreak points over Clyde Harris Saraos of Tagoloan Community College (TCC).
Both Ancheta and Saraos scored 6.5 points in seven rounds.
Comprising the top-10 winners in Grade 4-6 class are Lumancas, Santiago IV; Getubig, Lyn; Tabamo, Cassey Miguel; Canas, Khent Lourence; Lagunay, Jeshua; Custodio, Rechie; Lasprillas, Raphael Jean; Regatuna, Rowella Mariel; Dalagan, Sara and Ilar, Keith Adriane.
Composing the top-10 cast in the premier secondary rivalry are Ancheta, David; Saraos, Clyde; Sabella, Andry James; Dela Rama, Joseph; Pandi, Ashlanie; Tan, Mary Joy; Romanada, Paul andrew; Managase, Kurt; Carrasco, Lorebina III and Hoy, Joel Lawrence.