Philippines, 02 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Paragua tops 'Battle of the GMs'


PhilBoxing.com


Final Ranking after 15 Rounds (men's)
23 points-GM Mark Paragua
20.5-GM Julio Catalino Sadorra
20-IM Oliver Dimakiling, GM Eugene Torre
18.5-GM Darwin Laylo
18-GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Oliver Barbosa
16-GM John Paul Gomez
13.5-GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM Roland Salvador
13-GM Richard Bitoon, FM Haridas Pascua
11-FM Randy Segarra
8-NM Giovanni Mejia, IM Emmanuel Senador
6-FM Roderick Nava

GRANDMASTER Mark Paragua, a former child wonder and first Filipino to breach the 2600-barrier in Elo rating, can finally call himself a national champion.

?It?s a dream come true para sa akin. Matagal ko ?tong hinintay,? said Paragua, after beating reigning national juniors champion FIDE Master Haridas Pascua in the 15th and final round of the 2012 National Open Chess Championships at the Cabagnot Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo Aklan. He finished with 23.0 points.

Paragua, also a triple gold medal winner during the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, virtually claimed the title on Tuesday when he defeated FM Roderick Nava and drew with GM John Paul Gomez while co-leader International Master Oliver Dimakiling dropped his matches against GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and Rogelio ?Joey? Antonio.

Sadorra finished second with 20.5 points following his conquest of IM Emmanuel Senador while Dimakiling and GM Eugene Torre shared third place with 20.0 points.

In the final round, Dimakiling topped GM Rogelio ?Banjo? Barcenilla while Torre streaked to his fourth straight win by beating GM Richard Bitoon.

Dimakiling earned the third and last outright seat to this year?s World Chess Olympiad with a superior tiebreak over Torre.

Top Filipino player GM Wesley So is already assured of a slot while the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero ?Butch? Pichay, Jr. has the option to pick the fifth player of the men?s team.

GM Darwin Laylo bowed to Gomez in the final round to kiss his bid of nailing a ticket to the Olympiad goodbye. He finished with 18.5 points.

In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena?s 23.0 points also proved to be the winning score. She was followed by Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna?s 21.0 points and Jedara Docena?s 17.5 points.

The three earned outright seats to the women?s team that will compete in the Olympiad.

Bernadette Galas barely missed a top three finish with 17.0 points while Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda shared fifth place with 15.0 each.

Supporting the tournament dubbed as ?Battle of the Grandmasters? are the Boracay Chess Club, Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Lone District of Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Club Paraw owned by Malay Councilor Hon. Wilbec M. Gelito and Willy's Beach Resort owned by Gen. Manager Rochanie G. Gadon, Kolai Mangyan owner Mr. Lowell Gucilo and Tawhay Condotel owner Arwen Barrios.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • 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




  •  



     
    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.