SAINT Benilde School (SBS) and J.J. Gonzaga Elementary School (JJGES) mainstays dominated the recently-staged 2019 Barangay Mansilingan “Magsinadya” Inter-School Chess Team Tournament held at the Mansilingan Chess Training Center in Bacolod City.
The Jeffrey Singson-mentored SBS woodpushers finished with 12 points to edge eventual first runner-up A.L. Jayme ES by a half-point to claim the boys’ division title at the end of the 4-rounder tourney. The champion team is composed of gold medal winners Emman delos Santos and Harold Patagane, and silver medalist Mikhail Pawliczek and Jhon Seron.
For the girls’ group, the Cherry Mae Ballesteros-coached JJGES-A dominated the division with 13 points followed by sister team JJGES-B. The champion team is composed of gold medalists Nicole Chua, Gallia Sofia and Alissa Jen Bantilan, and Danica Barbas.
Prizes were awarded to the winners by Mansilingan chieftain Rodolfo “Boy” Pico, SK chairwoman Fercy Lyn Almaiz, and club president Engr. Nestor Cena.
Following the success of the tournament, Mansilingan chieftain Pico is planning to extend the chess center next year with the support of the Barangay Council and Sangguniang Kabataan. “This will sustain the grassroots program for aspiring chess players in the community to divert their interest from illegal drug use,” Pico added.
Meanwhile, SK chairwoman Almaiz thanked the parents and teachers for encouraging their kids to join this tournament as she also expressed support to their village’s chess program.