
Balquin rules Dipolog open chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 May 2022
DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte---Johnnel Balquin of Cagayan de Oro City scored 1.5 points in the last two rounds to emerge as the overall champion in the 5th Mayor Darel Dexter T. Uy P'gsalabuk Chess Cup at the Ground Floor, Museo Dipolog in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte last Saturday, May 14, 2022.
Balquin defeated Allan Cantonjos of Gingoog City in the sixth and penultimate round then halved the point with 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr. of Quezon City in the seventh and final round.
He finished with 6.5 points on account of six wins and one draw in the seven-round tournament, which was organized by the Dipolog City Chess Association headed by it's president Ronald Truno Solon and tournament director Michel Jackson Ambuang in cooperation with Busog 28 CEO Michael "Mike" Tamonan, Mam Cendy Magallanes, Ranell Cendy Ticketing and former vice mayor Bebs Cheng.
Balquin opened his campaign in sizzling fashion, defeating Ranzeth Marco Magallanes of Dipolog City in the first round, Joselito Rojas of Dipolog City in the second round, National Master Quirino Sagario of Manila in the third round, Allan Salientes of Cebu in the fourth round, National Master Joey Albert Florendo of Zamboanga City in the fifth round, and Cantonjos in the sixth round before splitting the point with Suelo in the final round.
Balquin was awarded the top prize of P20,000.
Three players – Florendo, Rodney Opada of Cagayan de Oro City and Suelo– shared second to fourth places with 6.0 points to receive P10,000, P8,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Jan Francis Mirano of Aklan, Cantonjos and Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe of Pagadian City got P3,000 P1,000 and P1,000 for winding up fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively who totes 5.5 points apiece.
Rounding up to the top 17 who got 5.0 points each were Judge and Fide Master Rosendo Bandal Jr. , Julius Dan Augustine Ablin, Madronio Fuentes, Marian Calimbo, Mhilter Edombingo, NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., John Cyrus Borce, Geronimo Romarate, Rocky Rocamora and NM Levi Martuna.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Great Boxing Weekend All Over the World
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 22 Jul 2025WBC 63rd Annual Convention and Muay Thai Convention in Bangkok, Thailand Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 22 Jul 2025OLD HABITS NEVER DIE
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Tue, 22 Jul 2025Pacquiao Sends US Boxing Scene Buzzing Again
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Jul 2025Hurting inside
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 22 Jul 2025Shocking Incident at MaxFight 62: Fighter Bites Opponent’s Ear in Live MMA Broadcast, Prompting National Outrage and Scrutiny of Bulgarian MMA Federation
Tue, 22 Jul 2025Immanuwel Aleem Takes on Demond NIcholson in DMV Turf War on Saturday. July 26th at The Hall in Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
Mon, 21 Jul 2025Barrios lucky to keep title
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Allan Cantonjos rules Dipolog FIDE Standard chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 21 Jul 2025PHI GenTri Chess Players to Wave Philippine Flag in Hong Kong
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Filipino Pride and the Art of Hero Worship
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao vs. Logic
By Mark F. Villanueva, Sun, 20 Jul 2025McTavish a proud Filipino
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 20 Jul 2025GM Antonio rules Taiwan blitz chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Jul 2025History Slips From Pacquiao's Hands as Barrios Fight Ends in Majority Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025