Manalang, Cubangbang register podium finishes in OLOPSC chess tournament


by Marlon Bernardino.
Mervin Sebastian Manalang and Gerome Benedict Cubangbang continue to reap honors as they finished first and second in the 3rd edition of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour’s (OLOPSC) “Surfin D’ Board” Online Chess Tournament last May 8, 2021 at lichess.org.
Manalang collected 6 points on six wins and one loss in seven outings to romp home with the title in the Elementary Division.
On the other hand, Cubangbang tallied a similar 6 points on six wins and one loss.
Manalang, however, was proclaimed champion due to better tie break points.
Jonathan Wayne Cellesa finished in third placel with 5.5 points while Jacques Spencer Alog II took the fourth spot with 5 points.
Yang Shenhan Lumbre and David Magalong finished fifth and 6th with 4.5 points apiece.
The 7th-9th spots were taken by Lian Allen Sison, Joaquin  Carlos Luis Pacol and Desmond Michael Flores Pimentel with 4 points each while Apollo Julione Barcelon landed in 10th place with 3.5 points.
Meanwhile, Cyrill Kieon Eustaquio (7 points), Francis Ian Fernandez (5.5 points) and Viggo Nicholas Paras (5 points) finished top three (3) in the High School Division.
Special Awards were Keira Alexandria Alfonso (Top Grade 1), Jacob Kristof Alfonso (Top Grade 3), Apollo Julione Barcelon (Top Grade 4), Arkin Angelo Suaco (Top Grade 5), John Marcus Jacob Rafer (Top Grade 6), Juan Gabriel Paguirigan (Top Grade 7), Julien Adao (Top Grade 8), Mark Alwyn Banzuela (Top Grade 9), Lance Balean (Top Grade 10), Bench Serote (Top Grade 11) and Evanescence Naad (Top Grade 12).
The tournament is a pet project of the OLOPSC Parent’s Teachers Association (PTA) according to its President, Sir Errol Bernard Torres using the 10 minutes play to finish rapid time control format, being held in cooperation with the arbitration team of the Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation (PACC). Chief Arbiter is NA Ranier B. Pascual while Deputy Chief Arbiter is NA Ferdinand Reyes Sr.