CEBU CITY – Natikman ni Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. ang kabiguan sa Round 2 ng 2018 Philippine National Games (PNG) Chess Tournament kahapon sa Robinson Galleria Cebu.
Napasuko ang 13-time Philippine champion at pambato ng Calapan, Oriental Mindoro native ni No.19 Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus matapos ang 51 moves ng Alekhine Defense.
“ I hope i can sustain my winning ways,” sabi ng Davao bet Literatus, top player ng National University (NU) chess team na nasa gabay nina team manager Samson Go at coach United States Chess Federation (USCF) master Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr.
Unang nagwagi si Literarus sa unheralded na si Nino Bondoc ng Zamboanga sa opening round nitong Linggo.
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Dahil sa natamong panalo, napataas ni Literatus ang kanyang kartada sa 2.0, para sumosyo sa liderato kina GM John Paul Gomez ng Albay, No.3 IM Haridas Pascua ng Baguio City, No.4 IM Oliver Dimakiling at No.5 IM John Marvin Miciano ng Davao City, No.7 IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia ng Quezon City, No.8 IM Paulo Bersamina ng Tandag City, No.9 GM Darwin Laylo ng Marikina City, No.10 untitled Danny Maersk Mangao ng Bacolod City, at No.11 IM GM Jayson Gonzales ng Albay.
Sa distaff side, nagtala ng magkahiwalay na panalo sina Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales at Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, na kinakatawan ang Mandaluyong City. Panalo ang University of the Philippines (UP)- Diliman ace Bernales kay Bea Mendoza ng Baguio City sa 28 moves ng French defense habang kinaldag naman ng Jose Rizal University (JRU)-Mandaluyong City top gunner Enriquez si Mary Jonah Lequin ng Davao City sa 35 moves ng Queen’s Pawn Game tungo sa ika-2 sunod na panalo.
Sina Bernales, Enriquez, Bernardino at Ricardo “Larry” Jimenez, na pambato ng Mandaluyong City chess team ay suportado nina Mandaluyong mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Aguilar Abalos, former mayor Benjamin “Benhur” de Castro Abalos Jr., Mandaluyong Sports Development head Noel “Big Daddy” Bernardo, Mandaluyong City ABC president at Barangay Malamig chairman Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo at Mandaluyong City chess coach Antonio “Jun” Cruz Jr.
Si FNA Red Dumuk ang nagsisilbing tournament director habang si IA Ilann Perez ang chief arbiter kasama sina FA Felix Poloyapoy, NA Margie Narcilla, NA Noel Moralesat NA Mark John Gastar.
