Vladimir Lait (fifth from left) swept the Don Tomas Mapua Centennial Chess Cup presents GM Eugene Torre Rapid Tournament held January 18, 2025 at the Mapua Gymnasium in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines.
Lait, a Grade 12 student of Mapua University scored perfect 7.0 points to receive the champion purse of P10,000 for first place.
The Pasig City resident Lait scored victories against Kyla Marie Vallesfin, Gian Ztdric Sucao, Allan Anthony Alvarez, Rodel Bobila, Alexsis Enrico Jacinto, Christian Arroyo and Glenn Midel Delos Santos, respectively.
Lait had earlier won the Rookie of the Year award in the NCAA Season 100 or the 2024–25 season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association chess team tournament.
Arroyo and Arjoe Loanzon finished the tournament with similar 6.0 points; Delos Santos, John Paolo Gaspar Medina, Austin Jay Tablan, Daniel Mondares and George Quinto have identical 5.5 points.
Bobila and Jacinto made it to the top 10 with 5.0 points each.
The rapid division attracted 100 players.
Von Arvie Barbosa Wins Blitz Category
In the blitz category, Von Arvie Barbosa of Taytay, Rizal emerged champion with 8.0 points in nine outings. Mark Tupas, Christian Roche Thompson and Marlon Montoya, both with 7.5 points, took second, third and fourth place.
David Mojar and Stephen Von Estavillo secured the fifth and sixth spots with 7.0 points apiece while Enrique Naperi, Mark Joseph Barbosa, John Christopher Alvarado and Karl Christian Coleto made it to the top 10 who totes 6.5-points each.
The blitz division attracted 100 woodpushers.
Ceremonial moves between Mapua President Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo and Dr. GM Eugene Torre for Rapid; Ceremonial moves between NAMA Presidents Engr. Adam Abinales and FIL-CHI President Engr. Rudy Niu for blitz.
The event was opened by GM Eugene Torre, Asia’s first Grand Master, Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, President of Mapúa University and Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, the director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Mapúa alumnus. It was organized by the Mapúa Institute of Technology Filipino-Chinese Alumni Association, Inc., in collaboration with Mapúa Athletics and Mapúa University Sports Enthusiasts Organization (MUSEO).-Marlon Bernardino.-