Paragua tops 'Battle of the GMs'
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2012
Final Ranking after 15 Rounds (men's)
23 points-GM Mark Paragua
20.5-GM Julio Catalino Sadorra
20-IM Oliver Dimakiling, GM Eugene Torre
18.5-GM Darwin Laylo
18-GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Oliver Barbosa
16-GM John Paul Gomez
13.5-GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM Roland Salvador
13-GM Richard Bitoon, FM Haridas Pascua
11-FM Randy Segarra
8-NM Giovanni Mejia, IM Emmanuel Senador
6-FM Roderick Nava
GRANDMASTER Mark Paragua, a former child wonder and first Filipino to breach the 2600-barrier in Elo rating, can finally call himself a national champion.
?It?s a dream come true para sa akin. Matagal ko ?tong hinintay,? said Paragua, after beating reigning national juniors champion FIDE Master Haridas Pascua in the 15th and final round of the 2012 National Open Chess Championships at the Cabagnot Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo Aklan. He finished with 23.0 points.
Paragua, also a triple gold medal winner during the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, virtually claimed the title on Tuesday when he defeated FM Roderick Nava and drew with GM John Paul Gomez while co-leader International Master Oliver Dimakiling dropped his matches against GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and Rogelio ?Joey? Antonio.
Sadorra finished second with 20.5 points following his conquest of IM Emmanuel Senador while Dimakiling and GM Eugene Torre shared third place with 20.0 points.
In the final round, Dimakiling topped GM Rogelio ?Banjo? Barcenilla while Torre streaked to his fourth straight win by beating GM Richard Bitoon.
Dimakiling earned the third and last outright seat to this year?s World Chess Olympiad with a superior tiebreak over Torre.
Top Filipino player GM Wesley So is already assured of a slot while the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero ?Butch? Pichay, Jr. has the option to pick the fifth player of the men?s team.
GM Darwin Laylo bowed to Gomez in the final round to kiss his bid of nailing a ticket to the Olympiad goodbye. He finished with 18.5 points.
In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena?s 23.0 points also proved to be the winning score. She was followed by Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna?s 21.0 points and Jedara Docena?s 17.5 points.
The three earned outright seats to the women?s team that will compete in the Olympiad.
Bernadette Galas barely missed a top three finish with 17.0 points while Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda shared fifth place with 15.0 each.
Supporting the tournament dubbed as ?Battle of the Grandmasters? are the Boracay Chess Club, Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Lone District of Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Club Paraw owned by Malay Councilor Hon. Wilbec M. Gelito and Willy's Beach Resort owned by Gen. Manager Rochanie G. Gadon, Kolai Mangyan owner Mr. Lowell Gucilo and Tawhay Condotel owner Arwen Barrios.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024