CEBU, Philippines – The 'Magic 12' cast that will see action in the grand finals of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) annual tournament set for December 20 with no confirmed venue is now complete.
The latest qualifiers are NM Rogelio Enriquez Jr. and Martin Kwan for Group A and Michael Tinga and Felix Balbona for Group B.
Enriquez and Kwan placed only third and fourth, respectively, in the November edition of the CEPCA monthly last Sunday at Handuraw Cafe, but booked the remaining two finals tickets as the top finisher Felix Shaun Balbona is only a guest player and NM Arnold Cadiz, the second placer, has already qualified.
The same thing happened in Group B. With lady pawnpsushers Laila Nadera and Rowena Padro sweeping the top two spots, the next highly ranked players in Tinga and Balbona grabbed the last two berths for the championship round.
Enriquez and Kwan, thus, will join two-time grand champion Jimmy Ty Jr., Rey Flores, Arnold Cadiz, Peterson Sia, Tony Cabibil, Ross Yamyamin, Amado Olea Jr., Zilverstein Torres, Carlo Maraat, and Jojo Muralla in the so-called 'Battle of Champions' under Group A.
In Group B, Tinga and Balbona must brace themselves for a tough battle ahead aginst Regelito Hortelano, Ruel Hortelano, Elmer Odango, Jojo Paredes, Jun Kidlat, current club president Jerry Maratas, Jessa Balbona, Edwin Cablao, Romy Pialan, and Michael Ventulan. (FREEMAN)