Belano leads winners in Cebu Checkmate 2025

John Lester Belano, Matt Andrew Pasignajen and Michael Johan Rodriguez emerged as the biggest winners of Checkmate Cebu 2025, an inter-school and open chess tournament held last Sunday, March 30, at The Atrium of Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Belano came out as champion in the Under 20 juniors category after finishing the eight-round Swiss system competition with the highest output of 7.0 points. He went home P12,000 richer.

Reduard Contaoi of Luray National High School in Toledo City and Limuel Tampus of Sto. Niño Mactan Montessori School both ended up with 6.5 points but Contaoi claimed the P8,000 second prize courtesy of a higher tiebreaker. Tampus pocketed P5,000 for placing third.

John Dave Lavandero of the University of Cebu (UC), Marquis Angelo Mallorca of St. Dominic Savio International School in Lapu-Lapu City, Arje and Jervy Villarin of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) occupied the fourth to seventh spots with 6.0 points each.

Completing the Top 10 were Lennox Samson of Holy Trinity College, Jave Mareck Peteros of the University of San Carlos (USC), and Justin Mendoza of USJ-R with 5.5 points apiece.

On the other hand, Pasignajen of Pinamungajan National High School bagged P7,000 for reigning supreme in the Under 14 kiddies division with a perfect 8.0 points.

Jelleone Alsola of Mandaue City Comprehensive High School and UC’s Loisse Antonette Lozada wound up second and third, respectively, with identical 6.5 points.

Making it to the Top 10 were John Jacob Pane of USC, Rymel Alvarado of Sagay National High School, Kyle Zephyrr Abalo, Nathaniel Runez of Science and Technology Center, Crislyn Kate Tipdas of Pinamungajan NHS, Bernard Gabriel Paraiso of USC, and Matt Manuel Paquibot of UCLM with 6.0 points each.

In the Under 16 unrated class, Rodriguez of Lipata Central Elementary School in Minglanilla shined the brightest with 6.5 points. He received P5,000 for his efforts.

Andre Elijah Fabon and Dawson Joash Rodriguez landed at second and third with similar 6.0 points while Peter Mitges was at solo fourth with 5.5 points.

Rounding up the Top 10 were Ethan Rain Ilustrisimo, John Karl Mahilum, Anton Matteo Yap, James Daniel Pelino, John Allan Pelino, and Douglas Alexander Gothong with 5.0 points.