Executives tournament starts today

By Frank “Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

THE biggest executives chess tournament in the country starts today at the Handuraw Learning and Leisure Café in Mabolo (beside Kahayag Restaurant) as professionals and executives from Manila, Misamis Occidental together with host Cebu cross swords in team play as well as individual match-ups.

The Misamis contingent, led by Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos, who is also the team manager, is composed of the following players: Alex Siao – assistant team manager, Allen Yap, Quirino Sagario, Rey Feleciano, Leonides Fernandez, Eduardo Sanchez, Vic Ardiente, Rocky Rocamora, Fabian Lagura, Edwin Balbutin, Melchon Lapina, Antonio Hernand, Francis Joseph Kaamino, Oliver Damosong, Atillano Tabamo Sr., Stephen Ty, Rey Urbiztondo.

Alternates are Lorson Lapasaran, Rommel Moreno, Alfredo Garrido, Noel Palanas and Philip Ocang.

Players to watch are Sagario, Urbiztondo, Fernandez and Feliciano.

MANILA. The Mega Manila Execs Chess Circle line-up is headed by five-time Grand Prix champion Jenny Mayor and Efren Bagamasbad and backed by a powerhouse cast of seasoned players honed in national tournaments in the capital. The rest of Team Manila are: Willy Abalos, Chris Castellano, James Infiesto, Dante Zuniga, Arnel Aton, Ariel Aton, Noel Garcia, Rosulo Cabusora Jr., Francis Cabe, Louie Ramos, Ramon Pangilinan, Nofre Reyes, Domingo Cordero and Leonardo Deza.

Players with extensive playing experience and rated candidate master strength are Mayor, Bagamasbad, Abalos, Zuniga and Cordero. Judging from its line-up, Team Manila is favored to prevail.

CEBU. Host Cebu will have two teams led by chess patron Boojie Lim in Team A and National Master Bombi Aznar in Team B. Expected to carry the host teams to victory are former junior champion Ben Dimaano, Cepca Grand Prix winner, Sun.Star Cebu sports editor Jobannie Tabada and combination artist Dante Arguelles.

The other Cebuano execs and professionals are Felix Balbona, Jun Olis, Boy Pestano, Danny Pestano, Jon Catayas, Norway Lara, Renato Casia, Mandy Baria, Alex Tolentino, Gonzalo Tumulak, Felix Salve, Maggi Dionson, Loy Miñoza, Jojo Muralla, Joe Atillo, Gerry Rallos, Fred Sandalo, Gerry Tomakin, Jonard Labadan, Percival Fiel, Andy Aquino, Serg Borres, Vic Sepulveda, Manny Manzanares, El Labunog, Bong San Pascual, Mer Fernandez, Nic-nic Climaco, Tony Cornejo, Fabio Abucejo, Pastor Henry Cariat, Nikki Estenor, Arnold Cadiz, William Retanal, Ogie Reyes, Bal Ynclino.

The Cebu contingent will be balanced as the good players are equally divided among the two teams. All Cepca members will be playing, as aside from team play we will also have individual competition.

Our neighbors from Bohol have been sending feelers to join this unique tournament, but as of press time, they had still to decide if they could form a decent team.

In the event that Tagbilaran can’t participate, here is the schedule of the two-day chessfest: registration – 9-9:30 a.m., Manila vs. Cebu (1st game) – 9:30-11 a.m., lunch – 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Manila vs. Cebu (2nd game) – 12:30-2:00 p.m., blitz tournament (for Cebu and Manila players) – 2:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday (Jan. 15): registration – 9-9:30 a.m. 9;30-10:30, Cepca A vs. Manila, Cepca B vs. Misamis ; 10:45-11:45, Cepca A vs Cepca B, Misamis vs Manila ; 11:45-12:45, lunch and break ;12:45-1:45 Cepca A vs. Misamis Cepca B vs. Manila ; 2-3 p.m. Cepca A vs. Manila. Cepca B vs Misamis ;3:-3:30 snacks 3:30-4;30 Cepca A vs. Cepca B, Misamis vs Manila; 4:45-5:45 Cepca A vs. Misamis, Cepca B vs. Manila.

After the tournament Cepca will host a dinner and party.

Sponsors of this event is Boojie Lim of Rose Pharmacy , Mr & Mrs. Antonio Salve of Salve Townhouses , Bombi Aznar, Victor Manalac of Purefoods-Hormel, all Cepca members, and especially the City of Cebu through Councilor Gabby Leyson and Mayor Tommy Osmeña.

To all participants welcome to Cebu ! Pit Señor !