Philippines, 06 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Paragua, Antonio, Barcenilla set out as the top favorites in the Cong. Pichay Birthday Cup “Battle of GMs" online chess championship


PhilBoxing.com


Manila---The country’s three hottest players today -- Grandmasters Mark Paragua, Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. -- set out as the top favorites in the Cong. Pichay Birthday Cup “Battle of GMs" online chess championship at the lichess.org on Sunday at 10 a.m. Manila time.

Paragua is fresh from winning the 1st Philippine Bullet Chess championship Grandfinals held last June 13 to bag the top prize of P30,000 (thirty thousand Philippine Pesos).

Antonio, on the other hand topped the M. A Yabut Realty construction birthday chess online tournament wee hours on Saturday.

Barcenilla, meantime won the the inaugural leg of the 1st Philippine National Bullet last May. A two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and a 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors’ championship in Romania.

Barcenilla ruled the Battle of the Grandmasters (standard/ actual chess) last November held at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence in Quezon City.

First-round matches pit Antonio against GM Darwin Laylo, Barcenilla against IM Angelo Young while and GM John Paul Gomez against GM Roland Salvador, GM Julio Catalino Sadorra vs FM Giovanni Mejia in the upper half of the draw; and Paragua against WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, GM Richard Bitoon against GM Jayson Gonzales, GM Oliver Barbosa against FM Narquingden Reyes and GM Eugene Torre against FM Sander Severino in the lower half of the draw.

Severino recently became a world champion in online chess when he captured the International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) Online Championship.

"The toughest field ever assembled. Philippine’s 11 Grandmasters, 1 Woman Grandmaster, 2 IMs and FM. Battle of the Grandmasters. The Congressman Pichay Birthday Cup kicks off this Sunday online. Good luck to everyone! May the best man/woman win fair and square," said former Olympian Woman National Master Lilibeth Lee-Barcenilla.

The total cash prize for the event held as part of the birthday celebrations of NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is P100,000.
All eight losers in the first round are assured of P3,000. Quarterfinalists will receive P5,000 and semifinalists P8,000.
The champion will earn P25,000 and the losing finalist P15,000.
The time control shall be 10 minutes per player with 10 seconds increment per move.

The players shall play two games per round: one white, one black.

In case of tie after the two games, an Armageddon game shall be played where black has less time but has draw odds. The time control for the Armageddon game shall be 5 minutes for white and 4 minutes for black, no increment.-Marlon Bernardino-


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.