IM Garcia tops Lomibao rapid chessfest; pockets P20,000
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 May 2025
International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia leaned on his vast experience to capture the title of the P105,000 Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament, which was held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City.
IM Garcia, who plays for the Manila Load Manna Knights in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), pocketed the P20,000 purse and the medal for ruling the tournament, which fielded over 240 woodpushers.
He had a near-perfect campaign after tallying 8.5 points in the nine-round Swiss system competition.
IM Garcia defeated King Lanz Pamplona (Round 1), Chester Acuyong (Round 2), National Master Homer Cunanan (Round 3), Lennon Hart Salgados (Round 4), and Kevin Arquero (Round 5) in the first through fifth rounds, respectively.
He snapped his five-match winning streak when he had a draw against Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. in the sixth round.
Then, IM Garcia won his last three matches against FIDE Master David Elorta (Round 7), FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz (Round 8), and Grandmaster Daniel Quizon (Round 9).
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Metro Manila and nearby provinces joined the tournament," the 29-year-old resident of Sampaloc, Manila, said in an interview on Tuesday.
"I would like to thank Ateneo de Manila University Athletic Director Emmanuel Fernandez for supporting my participation in the P105,000 Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament," added Garcia, Ateneo de Manila University chess team program head under the guidance of Athletic Director Emmanuel Fernandez.
"The event is aimed at developing good thinkers through the understanding of chess strategies and tactics, improving the logical abilities and rational thinking and reasoning of the participants, and instilling a sense of self-confidence, self-worth, and camaraderie," Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Sheerie Joy Lomibao said.
WFM Lomibao said another big chess tournament will be held this December 2025.
GM Antonio, meanwhile, finished solo second place with 8.0 points on account of seven wins and two draws, taking home the runner-up prize of P15,000, while International Master Michael Concio Jr. ended up third with a similar 8.0 points for a P10,000 purse.
FM Daluz and Chester Neil Reyes finished the tournament with a similar 7.5 points; FM Elorta, GM Quizon, Salgados, Arquero, FIDE Master Bob Jones Liwagon, Jan Clifford Labog, Sherwin Tiu, International Master Paulo Bersamina, Marcus Fratkin, Alexis Emil Maribao, National Master John Cyrus Borce, and National Master Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr. all had identical 7.0 points.
The P105,000 Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament was supported by Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District, Bayanihan Chess Club founding president/tournament director national master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., national arbiter Ranier Pascual, Mr. Travis Vincent Chua of the Nova Wellness Store, sportsman Rodolfo Enrique Rivera, and online Arena Grandmaster Reu Gabriel Sebolino. -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“Thrilla” card takes shape
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 18 Sep 2025Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 18 Sep 2025Vayson aims to make history
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 18 Sep 2025KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 18 Sep 2025Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
Thu, 18 Sep 2025Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
Thu, 18 Sep 2025Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
Thu, 18 Sep 2025VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 18 Sep 2025Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 18 Sep 2025D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
Thu, 18 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
By Eric Armit, Wed, 17 Sep 2025TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
Wed, 17 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Wed, 17 Sep 2025Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Sep 2025