Grandmaster candidate Ronald Dableo bested International Master Michael Concio Jr. in the sixth round to capture the Open crown while Mark Kevin Labog and Esmael Abas ruled their respective divisions in the Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. rapid chess championships at the Vista Mall, Brgy. Don Jose in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on Saturday, December 30, 2023.
In photo above are, from left, Engr. Bren Sasot, Dr. Fred Paez, Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. , Grandmaster candidate Ronald Dableo and TV actor Jao Mapa.
Dableo, head coach of multi-titled University of Santo Tomas chess team, outwitted his rival from Dasmariñas City, Cavite to emerge champion in the Open division with perfect 6.0 points.
The top player of the Philippine Army chess team defeated Edward Alcaraz, Yuri Lei Paraguya, AGM Marc Voltaire Paraguya, Jonathan Jota, FM Mark Jay Bacojo, respectively before beating Concio.
“I am very happy with my victory. I would like to thank the University of Santo Tomas and the Philippine Army for supporting my participation in the Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. rapid chess championships, ” said the Trabajo, Sampaloc, Manila resident Dableo, who needs to raise his 2364 to 2500 to become the country’s newest Grandmaster. The 2003 Vungtau, Vietnam Asian Zonal champion already has three (3) grandmaster norms under his belt.
Kevin Arquero of Pasay City and Alexis Emil Maribao of General Trias City, Cavite toppled their respective rivals to finish second and third placers with 5.5 points apiece.
Arquero subdued Lourecel Ecot of Bacoor, Cavite while Maribao crushed Sherwin Tiu of Manila.
On hand during the awards rites were Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. , TV actor Jao Mapa and Rotary Club of Nuvali president Dr. Fred Paez.
In the Executive division, Mark Kevin Labog trounced fellow Datamatics team mates Stephen Manzanero to finish 5.5 points to secure the title.
National Master Nicomedes Alisangco edged Pastor Jason Rojo to finish 5.0 points, the same output of Freddie Talaboc of Quezon City, who brought down Leonard Raymond Reyes.
Meanwhile, PNP bet Esmael Abas clnched the seniors crown after beating Raffy Oliveros to score 5.5 points, half point ahead with 2nd place Benette Tejero with 5.0 points.
Earlier, Hall of Famer and Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (left) led the traditional ceremonial moves with Atty. Elpidio Bautista Jr. (right), TV actor Jao Mapa and Rotary Club of Nuvali president Dr. Fred Paez.
Proceeds of the event will be used to the Bright Eyes, Bright Future project of the Rotary Club of Nuvali. It aims to provide free eyeglasses to 300 students with eye disorders of Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Sta.Rosa City, Laguna.-Marlon Bernardino-