DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte---Johnnel Balquin of Cagayan de Oro City scored 1.5 points in the last two rounds to emerge as the overall champion in the 5th Mayor Darel Dexter T. Uy P'gsalabuk Chess Cup at the Ground Floor, Museo Dipolog in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte last Saturday, May 14, 2022.
Balquin defeated Allan Cantonjos of Gingoog City in the sixth and penultimate round then halved the point with 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr. of Quezon City in the seventh and final round.
He finished with 6.5 points on account of six wins and one draw in the seven-round tournament, which was organized by the Dipolog City Chess Association headed by it's president Ronald Truno Solon and tournament director Michel Jackson Ambuang in cooperation with Busog 28 CEO Michael "Mike" Tamonan, Mam Cendy Magallanes, Ranell Cendy Ticketing and former vice mayor Bebs Cheng.
Balquin opened his campaign in sizzling fashion, defeating Ranzeth Marco Magallanes of Dipolog City in the first round, Joselito Rojas of Dipolog City in the second round, National Master Quirino Sagario of Manila in the third round, Allan Salientes of Cebu in the fourth round, National Master Joey Albert Florendo of Zamboanga City in the fifth round, and Cantonjos in the sixth round before splitting the point with Suelo in the final round.
Balquin was awarded the top prize of P20,000.
Three players – Florendo, Rodney Opada of Cagayan de Oro City and Suelo– shared second to fourth places with 6.0 points to receive P10,000, P8,000 and P5,000, respectively.
Jan Francis Mirano of Aklan, Cantonjos and Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe of Pagadian City got P3,000 P1,000 and P1,000 for winding up fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively who totes 5.5 points apiece.
Rounding up to the top 17 who got 5.0 points each were Judge and Fide Master Rosendo Bandal Jr. , Julius Dan Augustine Ablin, Madronio Fuentes, Marian Calimbo, Mhilter Edombingo, NM Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., John Cyrus Borce, Geronimo Romarate, Rocky Rocamora and NM Levi Martuna.-Marlon Bernardino-
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