Chester Neil Reyes rules 2025 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 03 Feb 2025
Santa Maria, Bulacan---Chester Neil Reyes emerged as the champion in the 2025 Sta. Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge Open Division last Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the ICI College, Santa Maria, Bulacan.
Reyes, who plays for the University of Santo Tomas chess team under the tutelage of coach GM candidate Ronald Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo, pocketed the P10,000 purse and the trophy and medal for ruling the tournament which fielded in over 80 woodpushers.
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 6.5 points in the seven-round Swiss system competition.
This event was being held in cooperation with the 2025 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Committee headed by President Engr. Annabel Mauricio-Roldan and in partnership with University of Santo Tomas (UST) Chess Team, NORI Chess Club and Bulacan 6th District Congressman Salvador "Ador" A. Pleyto.
The UST Sophomore BSIT student Reyes scored victories against Rohanisah Buto, Yuri Lei Paraguya, Ricky Echala, FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, Mark Gerald Reyes and FIDE Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan in the first and sixth rounds, respectively.
He snapped his six-match winning streak when he had a draw against Sherwin Tiu in the seventh and final round.
Bacojo went on placing second overall with 6.0 points.
Bacojo’s second place finish earned him P5,000, while the third place went to FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz with similar 6.0 points to earn P3,000.
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Bulacan and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament," the 19-year-old resident of Rodriguez, Rizal said in an interview on Monday.
"I would like to thank my coaches GM candidate Ronald Dableo and GM Darwin Laylo for supporting my participation in the 2025 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge Open Division,” he added.
The fourth to 10th placers were Sherwin Tiu (5.5 points), Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa (5.5 points), Johann Cedrick Gaddi (5.5 points), Mark Gerald Reyes (5.0 points), GM Darwin Laylo (5.0 points), FIDE Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan (5.0 points) and Lennon Hart Salgados (5.0 points), respectively.
In the 17 years old and under, National Master Karlycris Clarito Jr. of Pasig City emerged champion with 6.5 points in seven outings.
National Master Mar Aviel Carredo, Rudmark Dela Cruz and Jerick Faeldonia, each tallied with 6.0 points, took second, third and fourth place.
Allan Gabriel Hillario, National Master Al-Basher Buto and Lemmuel Jay Adena secured the fifth, sixth and seven spots with 5.5 points apiece while Sumer Justine Oncita, Elexis Jazz Mendez and Joshua Mallari made it to the top 10 who totes 5.0-points each.
Tournament Director was Mr. Normel Benigno De Jesus while Chief Arbiter is Mr. Alfredo Chay.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 25 Mar 2026House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
Wed, 25 Mar 2026Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao
By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Mar 2026Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Mar 202614-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
Wed, 25 Mar 2026MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
Wed, 25 Mar 2026GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
Wed, 25 Mar 2026“The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 25 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
Tue, 24 Mar 2026Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
Tue, 24 Mar 2026Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 24 Mar 2026