PSC Open Chess: Paragua, Pascua keep lead going into the final round
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Jan 2013
Standings after Round 8: (Nine Round Swiss-System tournament / 70 player's field)
7.0 points---GM Mark Paragua (PHI), FM Haridas Pascua (PHI)
6.0 points---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr.(PHI), GM John Paul Gomez (PHI)
5.5 points---GM Richard Bitoon (PHI), GM Darwin Laylo(PHI), IM Rolando Nolte (PHI), GM Aleksandr Rakhmanov (RUS), IM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (MGL)
SIXTH seed Grandmaster (GM) Mark Paragua (ELO 2519) and 14th seed Fide Master (FM) Haridas Pascua (ELO 2386) toppled their respective rivals to remain on top in the eight and penultimate round late Friday of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Cup International Chess Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Paragua bested 4th seed Mongolian IM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (ELO 2522) while Pascua upset countryman 11th seed GM Richard Bitoon (ELO 2411). Thus, Paragua and Pascua both tallied 7.0 points going to the final round Sunday in the US$30,000 SMART-sponsored nine Round-Swiss tournament, hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by it's Chairman Ricardo Garcia and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's Chairman / President Prospero A. Pichay Jr. , Secretary-General and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director Jayson Gonzales.
"Inaasahan po natin madugo ang laban sa final round sa Sunday. Mabigat na kalaban si kuya Joey (Antonio) pero malaking tulong rest day ngayong Saturday," said the Tondon, Manila born Paragua.
"Kung may pagkakataon na manalo ay pipilitin natin pero hindi basta basta si John Paul (Gomez). Kagaya ko ay naghanda din yun," said the Mangatarem, Pangasinan native Pascua.
The ninth and final round will resume on Sunday at 9:30am after a break on Saturday in this FIDE event, which offers a top prize of US $6,000, supported by Puregold, Manila Pavilion Hotel, City State Tower Hotel and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco.
12-time national open champion 3rd seed GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio Jr. (ELO 2541) and 5th seed GM John Paul Gomez (ELO 2520) also won their matches to scored 6.0 points apiece and shared 3rd to 4th place.
The Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental ace Antonio beat 20th seed NM Hamed Nouri (ELO 2350) while the Binan, Laguna resident Gomez routed 15th seed Mongolian FM Gombosuren Munkhgal (2372). -Marlon Bernardino-
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