Martus, Policher win World Youth Scrabble

Q. Who is the #1 scrabble player in the Philippines today?

A. Teodoro Martus, Jr.

CEBU, Philippines – Martus recently topped the 2009 World Youth Scrabble Championship and Open Scrabble Tournament last Sunday at Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City.

Martus tallied a 14-2 card in the Open Division. The defeats to - Gerardo Oñate (president of the Scrabble Association of the Philippines or SCAP and to Francis Dizon – came in the second day, when Martus have already clinched the title.

“My second day defeat against Dizon was already a non-bearing match because during round 13, I was already declared as the winner because it is impossible already that they could surpass the lead that I have,” said the 2009 SAC awardee.

Martus, with the win, upped his rating to 1932 from 1887, making him the top scrabble player in the Philippines.

“I will strive hard and do my very best to keep and maintain my position until the end of 2009. That would be my goal for the meantime but it would be a great honor for me if I could maintain it next year,” said the 23-year old industrial engineer from the University of the Visayas (UV).

Joy Policher made it a double celebration for UV by topping the Youth Division.

“I did not expect that I would win the title because all my competitors are aiming to win (as well) so I really found it very hard against tough opponents. But God has been so good, maybe the tournament was really meant for me,” said the 15-year old Policher.

Policher’s quest for the title was not that easy, as she has to beat Mathew Malitao in Round 13. Both players were leading the pack with identical 9.5 points.

In a must-win situation, Policher finished off Malitao with “heroines” and “invaders,” earning 79 and 92 points.

Martus and Policher will represent the Philippines in the International Causeway Scrabble Challenge on December 2-6 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and received plane tickets to the venue during the award ceremony.

“We are grateful to the UV administration and to the Gullas Family especially to Sir Didi, Sir Dodong, Sir Eddie and to our team manager Ma’am Ann-ann Gullas for supporting us in this endeavor, morally and financially,” said Martus and Policher.

The UV Scrabble Team is preparing for the world series with the support of UV President Eduardo R. Gullas, EVP Finance Jose R. Gullas, team manager Rosanna Gullas, the Gullas family and the UV community. — Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)