Toledo Trojans skipper Bonn Tibod rules Medellin chess tourney

CEBU, Philippines —  Bonn Rainauld Tibod of Toledo City fought to a draw with National Master Merben Roque in the final round and that was all he needed to rule the open category of the 1st Joven “Benjun” Mondigo Jr. Mayor’s Cup over the board chess tournament recently in Medellin town north of Cebu.

Tibod, team captain of the Toledo Trojans that placed fifth in the Southern Division and made the playoffs of the first ever Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP)-All Filipino Conference last month,  completed the 5-round Swiss system competition with the highest output of 4.5 points to grab the title.

Roque and fellow NM Rogelio Enriquez Jr. both ended up with 4.0 points but Roque, top board player of the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors that wound up sixth in the South and also reached the playoffs of the inaugural PCAP season, took the second place honors by virtue of a higher tiebreaker.

Rounding up the top six were Roberto Calapan with 3.5 points, Bhell Ortiz with 3.0 points, and Hilario Dione with 2.5 points.

In the local category, Carl Patrick Pacilan, Jess Bitoon, and Lynell Heinz Jumao-as occupied the top three spots with 3.5 points each. Joselito Lepiten finished fourth followed by Johnrey Mabuang and Hannah Jumao-as at fifth and sixth.

Medellin Vice Mayor Juan Alfonso “Al” Lim, the town’s sports chairman, spearheaded the event with Antonio Cabibil as chief arbiter. — EBV