Eslao, Vilbar shine in Independence Day scrabble

CEBU, Philippines - Dart Eslao and John Kyle Vilbar stamped their respective classes in the Independence Day Scrabble Open 2012 the other day at the dance studio of Cebu City Sports Center.

The 36-year-old Eslao completed the six-round contest following the King of the Hill format with a perfect 6.0 points to lord it over in the professional category.

Eslao, a former varsity of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, got the surprise of himself as he bested the country's No.1 player Teodoro Martus, who just settled for second place on five wins and 840 spread points.

"I did not expect to win against the former UV wordsmith (Martus)," said Eslao.

Nathalie Cabaluna of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) wound up third with 5.0 points and a spead of 559 followed by Jowar Ayuno with five wins and 489 spread. Joana Rose Gerona finished fifth overall with five wins and 482 spread.

In the high school division, Vilbar took home the top spot with four wins and a spread of 340 points. Rounding up the top five placers were Anthony Louis Alon, Kristina Bautista, Jezel Oen Embing, and Shermee Donato.

The top two winners in the elementary level were Lovelyn Catarinin with three wins and Lawrence Dave Candia with two victories.

Chief arbiter Roger Abella said their main purpose in staging the event is to further sharpen the skills of Cebuano word wizards in preparation for the upcoming World Youth Scrabble Championships this August where the National Scrabble Association of the Philippines (NASCAP) is allocating five slots for Cebu to compose Team Philippines.

Tournament director Dr. Marsha Malbas, for her part, said the tournament was an "initial step to revive the Cebu Scrabble Association, Inc. (CSAI)". (FREEMAN)