Gonzales, who needed one more result to become an International Master, virtually went through the proverbial eye of the needle as he bested Jerome Balico for his ninth and a half point before beating via tiebreak erstwhile leader IM Petronio Roca in the final round to cop the title.
Gonzales emerged with a higher Buccholz tiebreak score of 101.5 points against Roca’s 98.5 to take home the champion’s trophy although the two split the combined prize of P20,000 for the first two placers.
Roca lost to top seed and 2000 World Championship veteran Grandmaster Buenaventura Villamayor in 50 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined.
That result enabled Villamayor, who had a bad start after losing to Gonzales in the second round, to gain a share of third to fifth places with NM Yves Ranola and IM Nelson Mariano II with nine points apiece.
FIDE Master Fernie Donguines finished at solo sixth spot with 8.5 points. — Joey Villar