The undefeated Diano finished the seven-round Swiss system tournament with 6.5 points to go home P3,000 richer.
Carlos Moreno III, on the other hand, banked on his endgame dexterity to subdue Francisco Abugho. The former non-smoker titlist and two-time Mandaue Open champion settled for the second place honors with 6.0 points.
Edwel Alesna and NM Carlos Cabuenos ended up with identical 5.5 points, but Alesna lifted the third place trophy courtesy of a superior tie-break output using the Bucholz system. Alesna got 31 points, just a point ahead of Cabuenos.
Alesna and Cabuenos both emerged victorious in their last round assignments over Rodrigo Alejandre and Antonio Cabibil, respectively.
Rounding up the top eight finishers with 5.0 points each were Allan Salientes, Nick Cuizon, Abugho and Doy Arcilla. Salientes tamed Venancio Loyola, Cuizon triumphed over Carlo Maraat and Arcilla outpointed Mike Banibane.
The two-day chessfest was made possible through the support of Engr. Matias "Bombi" Aznar III, Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA), Tuburan Mayor Rosemarie Suezo, Manuel Fernandez, Elly Bercilles and Gal Gallarde.