National Master Rommel Ganzon leads winners of CEPCA 36th anniversary tourney

CEBU, Philippines — National Master Rommel Ganzon pulled off a crucial victory over Ariel Joseph Abellana in the seventh and final round to emerge as Masters Open champion in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) 36th Founding Anniversary Tournament: 7th Boy “Chessmoso” Pestaño Memorial Cup on Sunday, November 8, at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Ganzon completed the seven-round Swiss system competition with a tournament-high 6.5 points to clinch the title and the P15,000 top prize.

International Master Kim Steven Yap and Zephyrr Kyle Abalo both finished with 6.0 points, but Yap secured the P10,000 second prize by virtue of a higher tiebreak score. Abalo settled for third place and P7,000.

NM Rogelio Enriquez, Jr. and John Lester Belano occupied the fourth and fifth spots with 5.5 points apiece.

Rounding out the top 10 with 5.0 points each were FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, Eric Abanco, NM Elwin Retanal, Jr., Ariel Abellana and Chris Aldritz Pondoyo.

Meanwhile, Shane Villavelez scored a perfect 8.0 points to capture the Challengers (rated 1900 and below) crown and the P10,000 cash reward.

Jason Orfano, Martin Caylan, Arnel Gomez and Jovanie Recarte all posted 7.5 points, but Orfano and Caylan secured the second and third places, pocketing P5,000 and P3,000, respectively, courtesy of superior tiebreak outputs.

Completing the top 10 with 7.0 points each were Arena International Master Kent Jeanoah Igot, Markus Aldrei Telmo, Dante Lendio, Derwin Crisologo and Dexter Fernandez.

In the Kiddies (15 Under) category, Jhon Quinio Dano and Marl Vincent Otarra tied for first place with 8.0 points each.

However, Dano claimed the P7,000 champion’s purse by virtue of a higher tiebreaker, while Otarra wound up second.

John Jacob Pane ended up third with 7.5 points, while Ralph Daniel Dakay, Jelloene Alsola and Rico Mascarinas, Jr. occupied the fourth to sixth spots with identical 7.0 points.

Making it to the top 10 with 6.5 points each were Ced Justin Meredores, Bernard Gabriel Paraiso, Creiah Tunacao and AIM Aarav Amit Kale.

Organized by CEPCA under the leadership of its longtime president Engr. Jerry Maratas, the one-day tilt presented by Jemar Engineering Services and Celjem Construction and Development Corp. drew a record field of 380 entries.

Held in collaboration with the families of the late Boy Pestaño and Jun Olis, the highly successful event was made possible through the support of Luciano Construction and Development Corp., Atty. Sisinio Andales, Lahug National High School, JJ’s Electrical Supply and Services, and J2 Hardware.