Philippines, 27 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Concio, Bacojo, Cantela lead chess entries in GM Balinas youth tilt


PhilBoxing.com


MANILA, Philippines -- International Master Michael Concio Jr., FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, and National Master Oscar Joseph Cantela seek glory as they spearhead a strong cast clashing in the Atty. GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Youth Rapid Chess Tournament (18 below) unfurling on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 10 am at Level 1 Digiworld, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

The top seed, Concio, looms as the player to beat in the seven-round Swiss system rapid (10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment) tournament owing to his current FIDE rapid rating of 2354. Concio, a freshman student taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS) at the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas, earned his outright IM title plus GM norm after winning the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships in 2019 in Tanauan City, Batangas. Last month, Concio, one of the top players of Dasmariñas Chess Academy under the guidance of Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr., and national coach FM Roel Abelgas, won the gold medal of the rapid event Eastern Asia Juniors and Girls Chess Championships at the Sabah Oriental Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. He also won a silver medal in the blitz competition. "I hope to do well in this prestigious event, Atty. GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Youth Rapid Chess Tournament," said the 18-year-old Concio.

Bacojo, on the other hand, won the bronze medal of the blitz event World Youth Chess Championships in Montesilvano, Italy last November. The Grade 12 student from Dasmariñas Integrated High School also earned his second IM norm in the standard event of World Youth Chess Championships. Bacojo secured the first norm during the 18th IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last September. "There are many strong opponents. Hopefully, I will get lucky and become champion again," said Bacojo. Bacojo aims to raise his Elo standard rating of 2367 to 2400 this year for the IM title requirements.

Cantela, a Grade 10 student of Far Eastern University-Diliman, playing under the guidance of coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, meanwhile won a silver award at the SMS Deen Merdeka Open Rapid Team Chess Championship 2023, which was held at Level 5 Cititel Midvalley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last August 25-26. "I practiced a lot for this tournament and hopefully I can truly show what I’m capable of. It’s time for the coveted title," said Cantela, a resident of Barangay San Juan Uno in General Trias City, Cavite.

Others vying in the event, sponsored by GM Balinas' family in close cooperation with Robinsons Galleria, AIM Mark John Centillo, Biyaherong Arbiter, Coach NM Gerald Ferriol, GMG, WNM Kathryn Ann Cruz-Hardegen, and Mam Jennifer Cruz, are NMs Al-Basher "Basty" Buto, Mar Aviel Carredo, Karlycris Clarito Jr., and WNMs Antonella Berthe Racasa, Lexie Grace Hernandez, Jersey Marticio, Daren Dela Cruz, and Bonjoure Fille Suyamin. Other notable woodpushers participating are AGM Robick Vohn Villa, AIM Cyrus Vladimir Francisco, AIM Gabriel Ryan Paradero, and AFM Rai Enzo Batara. Also competing are Chester Neil Reyes, Christian Mendoza, Clark Kaeron Kwan, Wenlan Temple, Del Emerson Dela Cruz, Wesley Jovan Magbanua, Jeremy Marticio, Ariel Santander, Novenik William Alisangco, Julie Gelua Jr., Alexis Jade Saballe, Christian Tolosa, Sumer Justine Oncita, Cedric Daniel Macato, Jerick Faeldonia, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog, Maureiin Lepaopao, and Charly Jhon Yamson.

The event, organized by Bayanihan Chess Club founding president NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. in cooperation with Chess Lovers and Kaizen Knights Chess Club, offers a total pot prize of P25,000 with the champion getting the lion's share of P5,000. “We do this to promote chess at the grassroots level and discover new sports talents,” said Bernardino, an online Arena Grandmaster and certified United States chess master. The tournament registration fee is P500. Send your payment to gcash number: 09613396015 (Jolina Icao). -Marlon Bernardino-


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 22: JOE FRAZIER AFTER THRILLA
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 27 Oct 2025
  • The Century Man: Jake Pollard and the Art of Losing Well
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 27 Oct 2025
  • Taduran Dominates Balunan to Retain IBF Minimumweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Oct 2025
  • GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 26 Oct 2025
  • Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
    , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • 30 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 25 Oct 2025
  • RomyMac’s Ali memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
    , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • Six is ‘Thrilla’s’ magic numbe
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • CARLOS LLINAS PRESENTS TWO BOXING SHOWS IN JUST EIGHT DAYS AT SOUND BOARD IN MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL STARTING FRINDAY OCT 24
    , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • Boxing Insider Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City with Local Talent and Regional Prospects on November 7
    , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • Lhuillier, Santos Capture Men’s A1 Title in UTP Level-Based Tennis Challenge at Hillsborough
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES FULL FIGHT CARD FOR THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
    , Fri, 24 Oct 2025
  • Mike Tyson visits Kinshasa, Congo to remember "Rumble in the Jungle"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.