Team Balbona rules IBP-PICPA chessfest

CEBU, Philippines – Team Balbona swept the top two spots of the 1st Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IBP-PICPA) Chess Team Tournament over the weekend at SM City-Cebu.

Balbona Team A manned by NM Merben Roque, Richard Natividad, Ramil Wadim and Jessa Balbona bested the Jun Abines squad in its final assignment, 3-1, to clinch the title with 13.0 points.

On the other hand, Balbona Team B manned by Carlos Moreno III, NM Rogelio Enriquez  Jr., Ronald Ganzon, and Felixberto Balbona upstaged Casa Ilonga of Carlo Maraat, Erwin Ababat, Crisanto Tan and Joseleo Cortes, 3-1, to settle for second place.

Balbona Team B was actually tied with Autoliv composed of Bonn Tibod, Bryle Arellano, Redentor Nailon, and Justin Misa with 10.0 points each, but got the higher placing by virtue of winner- over-the-other rule.

Aside from trophies, Team Balbona took home a total of P20,000 in cash prize, while Autoliv received P6,000.

Nuat Thai comprised of Yves Fiel, Vincent Balena, Gilbert Bentulan, and Amecito Lumbab pocketed P4,000 for finishing fourth with 7.0 points.

The individual board medallists of the two-day tilt were Edcel Montoya of DPWH Cebu, Rogelio Enriquez Jr. and Ramil Wadim of Team Balbona and Joseleo Cortes of Casa Ilonga. — EBV (FREEMAN)