By Marlon Bernardino
The IIEE Northern Cotabato, composed of team captain Aneano Bejec Jr., Richard James Mendoza, Reinheart Pillo, Randy Belarmino and Irenio Butigan, captured the crown last September 13 at Koten, Pasay City, Philippines.
This team from Kidapawan were the first team who qualified in the Visayas-Mindanao leg as they won the Southern Mindanao regional elmination last October 2024.
In 3×3 chess, the troika of Randy Turreda, Ronald Donasco and Evaristo Tizon captured the overall championship sweeping the IIEE National Championship. The team represented the IIEE Metro National Region as regional champion last November 2024.
It was a gruelling 30 games each interspersed with exhibition games. Kenji Ting beat influencer vlogger Hamtime in a one-on-one with score of 10-9.
The tournament was organized by IIEE Golden Sports chairman Andy Lim, vice chairman Ervin Fernandez and Adviser FPres Allan Alvarez with chess arbiters NM Marlon Bernardino and Ferdie Reyes Sr.
In photo doing the chess ceremonial moves (from Right to left pairing) are PCAP President Paul Elauria vs IIEE Golden Sports Chairmam Andy Lim, Malou Doles of Koten vs NM Dennis Guitierrez, IIEE Former President Jojo Padua vs Bulacan Chapter President Michael Angelo Licuanan with IIEE FPres Allan Alvarez (standing)