USJ-R Team A rules Sinulog open chess tourney

CEBU - Early leaders faltered one after the other, paving the way for the NM Rogelio Enriquez-skippered University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Team A to clinch the championship of the 2009 Cebu Sinulog Open Chess Team Tournament in come-from-behind fashion last Sunday at the SM City-Cebu Entertainment Center.

It was actually a double celebration for USJ-R of coach Bernardo Garces as its Team B copped the third place honors.

USJ-R Team A’s back-to-back conquest of Fe Fish Dealer and Lapu-Lapu City in the final two rounds catapulted them victory and the P25,000 cash prize.

It’s Team B snatched the third place trophy after edging out erstwhile front-liner Cebu Progress Marketing, which still managed to land at a decent second place after settling for a draw in its final assignment.

Fe Fish Dealer wound up fourth followed by Uniplus Gaming Center.

Completing the top 11 finishers were Gorgonio Builders, Lapu-Lapu City, Sikad Talisay, OPASCOR, Sta. Cruz Shell Gallery, and Brgy. Day-as.

On hand to award the trophies and cash prizes to the winners were City councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, NM Mathias “Bombi” Aznar III, Renato Casia and Boy Pestaño of the organizing Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Assocation CEPCA), assistant city treasurer Emma Villarete, and tournament director and FIDE Arbiters Roger Abella and Marvin Ruelan.–Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)