2nd Roger Abella Memorial Scrabble gets underway

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's top scrabble players will once again test each other's wits as the 2nd Roger Abella Memorial Open Scrabble Tournament gets underway today at Robinson's Fuente.

Leading the cast of contenders is Cebuano word wizard Renante de la Cerna, who is raring to defend his crown in the men's pro-college division.

Dart Eslao, the champion in the University of the Visayas Challenge, and his son Johnspeed, gold medallist in the National Milo Little Olympics, are also set to join the action alongside high school top player Viccel Libradilla, Jowar Ayuno, and Boboy Toroy, among others.

Over a hundred players from different schools as well as national players from Manila are expected to take part in the one-day tilt that features three categories, the combined professional-college, high school and elementary.

As per request of the players, the organizers will be accepting on-site registration.

Aside from trophies, the top three players inr each division will take home cash prizes.

There will also be a special prize for the best single turn and best single game.

The professionals and college players will be competing under a seven-round modified King of the Hill system, while the younger ones will figure in a five-round battle.

Staged in memory of the late Roger Abella, one of the sportsmen who popularized scrabble here, the event is sponsored by the Cebu City Sports Commission and supported by DepEd-Cebu City. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)