Philippines, 01 Dec 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:

  • Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • Jimuel draws in pro debut
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Durant sets new NBA record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
    , Sun, 30 Nov 2025
  • Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Nov 2025
  • BIRMINGHAM FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: BEN WHITTAKER CELEBRATES A WINNING START WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Sun, 30 Nov 2025
  • ThunderDome 52 Results: Clarke Defeats Seidu by Controversial Split Decision
    , Sun, 30 Nov 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
    , Sat, 29 Nov 2025
  • Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 29 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
    , Sat, 29 Nov 2025
  • BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
    , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • 7-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 28 Nov 2025
  • Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 27 Nov 2025
  • Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Petecio in, Paalam out
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 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.