CEBU, Philippines - Peterson Sia lost to Mike Banibane in the fifth and final round, but still managed to rule the July edition of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Monthly Tournament last Sunday at the Deep Blue Cafe in SM City-Cebu.
Jun Olis of the organizing CEPCA said that Sia, Banibane and Manny Abucay actually figured in a three-way tie at the end of the 5-round Swiss system competition with 4.0 points apiece, but Sia went on to claim the title by virtue of a superior tie-break output.
Banibane finished second followed by Abucay. Joe Atillo and Ruel Robillos were at joint fourth and fifth place with 3.5 points.
Sia, who swept his first four matches against Jun Pasion, Ruel Hortelano, lawyer Boy Tumulak and Renato Robillos, is a new member of the club and a former college chess standout. Also a chess tutor, he owns the biggest collection of chessbooks in Cebu.
Sia, thus, advanced into the grand finals this December together with early qualifiers Atty. Jong Melendez, NM Arnold Cadiz, Percy Fiel, Maggi Dionson, Manny Abucay, and Francisco "Jun" Kidlat, Jr. (FREEMAN)