CEPCA-Mayor Rama chessfest Montoya rules

CEBU, Philippines - Armed with a morale-boosting upset win over IM Kim Steven Yap in the seventh round, Edsel Montoya went on to cap his campaign with back-to-back victories to clinch the championship of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association-organized Mayor Michael Rama Chess Cup 2014 the other night at the Event Centre of SM City-Cebu.

The eighth-ranked Montoya blasted the third seed Eden Diano in round eight, then outsmarted Johnel Balquin of Cagayan de Oro City to finish the 9-round Swiss system competition bankrolled by the city government of Cebu with the highest score of 8.5 points that went along with a price tag of P15,000.

Diano bounced back from his disappointing loss to Montoya and vented his ire on FIDE Master Anthony Makinano to forge a three-way tie with NM Merben Roque and the Macau-bound Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano with 7.5 points each.

The pride of Mandaue City, however, posted a higher tie-break output to cop the second place honors followed by Roque and Sevillano, who fought to a fraw in the final round. Diano took home P7,000, while Roque and Sevillano pocketed P5,000 and P3,000, respectively.

IM Kim Yap placed fifth, while Bryle Arellano, Balquin, Venancio Loyola, NM Arnolito Cadiz and Glicerio Pardillo completed the top 10 list with 7.0 points each.

The 11th to 21st placers with 6.5 points were Ramil Wadim, Yves Christian Fiel, Allan Pason, IM Barlo Nadera, NM Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Richard Natividad, Ceferino Visco, Christian Pondoyo, Hector Villamor, Felix Shaun Balbona and Erwin de la Cerna.

The rest who made it to the money ladder with 6. 0 points were Makinano, Erwin Ababat, Joel Pacuribot, Chris Aldritz Pondoyo, Mark Mangubat, Michael Joseph Pagaran, Armecito Lumbab, Jaime Joshua Frias, Rommel Ganzon, Joyce Lagrosas, Diego Abraham Claro, Allan Salientes, Peterson Sia, Vince Balena, Allan Cantonjos and Aldwin Daculan.

In the special category, NM Cadiz (7.0), Peterson Sia (6.0) and Jojo Muralla (5.5) emerged as the top three Cepcans. Ababat (6.0), Joyce Lagrosas (6.0) and Carlos Moreno III (5.5) were the top finishers under the seniors division, while Sevillano (7.5), Pason (6.5), Felix Shaun Balbona (6.5) and Christian Pondoyo (6.5) were the top juniors awardees.

Chris Aldritz Pondoyo (6.0), Edsel Vosotros (5.5) and James Felmanyo Diloy (5.5) were top three in the kiddies, while Airene Robillos (5.5), Jocel Bucog (5.5), Laila Nadera (5.0), Jessa Marie Balbona (5.0), Marvie Abucay (5.0) and Marivelle Lumayag (5.0) were the top lady players. (FREEMAN)