IM Kim Yap crowned champion of CEPCA 34th anniversary tilt

CEBU, Philippines — International Master Kim Steven Yap reigned supreme in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) 34th Anniversary Tournament:5th Engr. Boy “Chessmoso” Pestaño Memorial Chess Cup last Sunday, November 10, at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Yap outsmarted Arena IM Dennis Navales in the ninth and final round and that was all he needed to clinch the coveted title with the highest score of 8.5 points.

Yap, a mainstay of the Toledo-Xignex Trojans who recently made history in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines for grabbing the South Division crown of the PCAP Season 4 SGM Wesley So Cup with a perfect 24-0 record, pocketed P15,000 for his efforts.

Actually, only P10,000 is allotted for the champion but Yap got P5,000 more as the family of the late Engr. Francisco “Boy” Pestaño who founded CEPCA way back in 1990 donated an additional P20,000 cash prize for the top finishers.

 Last year’s grand winner IM Joel Pimentel, Jr. and Arena Grandmaster Venancio Loyola, Jr. finished with identical 8.0 points but Pimentel secured the second place courtesy of a superior tiebreaker. He pocketed P10,000, while Loyola received P7,000 for winding up third.

Ariel Joseph Abellana landed at solo fourth with 7.5 points.

Making it to the Top 14 were National Master Rommel Ganzon, Allan Pason, Bonn Rainauld Tibod, John Dave Lavandero, Arje Villarin, AIM Dennis Navales, Rosendo Yamyamin, Joel Pacuribot, Ralph Greval, and Allerito Somosot, Sr. with 7.0 points each.

Rounding up the Top 20 of the one-day tilt supported by Celjem Construction and Development Corporation, JEMAR Engineering Services, ARQ Sports, and Gonzalodo Enterprises were Chris Aldritz Pondoyo, Michael Pinar, Marquis Angelo Mallorca, Felix Poloyapoy Jr., Ruel Hortelano, and Shane Kimberly Cabagnot with 6.5 points apiece.

Meanwhile, the top performers in their respective categories were AGM Venancio Loyola Jr. (Cepcan A), Ruel Hortelano (Cepcan B), Shane Kimberly Cabagnot (female), Allerito Somosot Sr. (seniors), Theon Cade Miranda (Under 8), and Marquis Angelo Mallorca (Under 14).