Updates for La Union Open

As posted by micrab of NCFP Forum:

Castellano shocks IM Bitoon

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Christopher Castellano pulled off a stunning win over International Master Richard Bitoon to march into the quarterfinal round of the La Union Open Chess Championship yesterday at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol here.

The former UP standout proved too sharp as he beat Bitoon, 1.5-.5 in the event organized by chess executive director Samuel Estimo and regional coordinator Joseph Dumuk.

Sharing the limelight with Castellano was Rizal Technological University (RTU) standout Nelson Villanueva, who trounced Ferdinand Leysa by the same score.

Also advancing into the Round of 8 of the tournament sponsored by La Union Gov. Victor Ortega and San Fernando City Mayor Mary Jane Ortega were Grandmaster Eugene Torre, IM Ronald Bancod, FM Fernie Donguines, NMs Mirabeau Maga and Rolando Nolte and La Union top player Belsar Valencia.

Torre beat Rhobel Legaspi (1.5-0.5), Bancod defeated Horizon Villanueva (1.5-0.5), Donguines nipped NM Rolando Andador (1.5-0.5), Maga waylaid NM Nicomedes Alisangco (1.5-0.5), Nolte edged former champion NM Emmanuel Senador (4.5-3.5), and Valencia blanked NM Terence Gonzales (2-0).

In the quarters, Torre is pitted against Nolte, Maga vs Donguines, Castellano vs Valencia and Villanueva opposite Bancod.

Meanwhile, the blitz side event sponsored by Chicago-based and former Olympian NM Julian "Bato" Lobigas Jr. and Fianchetto Realty Corporation vice-president GM Eugene Torre starts today.

The champion in the R650,000 event will receive R100,000.

* courtesy of TEMPO News