Sinulog games

Aside from the street dancing and its culmination at the Sports Center ,the highlights of the Sinulog celebration are the various sports played including the popular marathon and football.

In this case , what is of interest to us are chess and poker.

27 teams have expressed interest in joining the chess competition and I expect that the number will exceed the 32 teams who competed in the last Sinulog.

There are several teams who stands out not because of better players but because they are unique.

Handuraw is once again fielding an all women lineup and Max GXL have an all kiddies lineup .Although I don’t see them winning any of the prizes , they serve the main purpose of the organizer (Cepca) which is to promote the game especially among children and ladies.

Special mention are the Balbona family. Playing boards 1-4 are Marq Gabriele (16), John Francis (13), Felix Shaun (14) and Jessa Marie (19). Alternate is proud father and original Cepca member Felix Balbona.

The other team(s) are Rose Pharmacy, the prime sponsor of local chess ,led by Singapore based IM Rico Mascarinas,who for a long time was an Olympiad veteran and another team led by his nephew, IM Kimkim Yap.

The local schools and universities will also be in full force .University of San Jose Recoletos will have 3 teams as well as the University of the Visayas and San Carlos .Cebu Institute of Technology and University of Cebu will also fight it out.

There are also some participants from out of town namely Bohol,Dumaguete and Bayawan.

The Max lineup include Royd Jayson Ortoste (14),Ryan Pacres (13), Jeffu Durog (12) and Ryan Fernando(12). Handuraw has Shaira Mae Monsalud(15), KeithClaire Morala (15), Sharon Pacres , Kaytte Ouano.(15) and Phoebe Bitoon (15).

Registration of P1,200 is going on at the Colonnade Chess Club thru Lito Pielago or you may contact Marvin Ruelan (0926-7352-951);Roger Abella (0910-2686-890); Jun Olis (0923-2629-642.

Tournament venue is at the Activity Center of SM City on January 7 and 8. Format is 7 rounds Swiss with a time control of 30 minutes per player plus 5 seconds increment .Matches will be played on 4 boards.

This cash rich tournament with a total prize of P76,000 is organized by the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association Inc and sponsored by the Cebu City Government thru Mayor Michael Rama.

Poker- There are two major tournaments during Sinulog time. At Metro Club in Mandaue ,the Cebu Flag Football league will hold a fund raising Texas Hold Em tournament on January 7,Saturday, with a buyin of P1,500 and a guaranteed pot of P100,000.

The competition starts at 5pm with a reentry allowed until the first break. Special add-on of 4k chips worth P500 for every buyin and reentry given . Add on funds will help the CFFL team in their bid for the championship in Manila.

A much bigger poker tournament will be held at the Oriental Sports club in Parkmall Casino.They will be holding a 1 million peso guaranteed tournament Sinulog Cup on January 12 and 13,which is sure to attract the high rollers from out of town and local players.

Buyin is P25,000 and you can join and qualify for as low as P300 in their satellite events which is held everyday at 8pm. Winners will get guaranteed seats for their step 2 satellite worth P2,500.

Step 2 satellite is being held every Friday and Saturday at also 8pm.Minimum 9 players to start. Winners will get seats to the main event which is the Sinulog Cup. For registration contact Mona at 0915-4288-998.
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