ESTIMO, MAYOR SHARES TOP HONORS IN NCFP CHESS

News article from MARLON BERNARDINO

Final Standings/ rankings: (7 round Swiss-system/ 37 player's field)

6.0 points---Jenny Mayor, NM Samuel Estimo

5.5 points---NM Nick Nisperos

5.0 points---Albert Rivera, Jun Balgan, NM Efren Bagamasbad

4.5 points---NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Christoper Castellano, Octavio Canta, NM Mario Rebano

TWO-TIME Olympian member National Master Samuel Estimo and RP sixth-time executive champion Dr. Jenny Mayor shared top honors in the First leg of NCFP Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge at the Greenhouse Grill, 31 Matalino St., Diliman, Quezon City, on Saturday.

Estimo, the incumbent executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and Mayor, director and PRO of NCFP, both tallied identical 6.0 points apiece to advance in the grand finals on March 2008 in the event supported by NCFP chairman Quezon City rep. Matias Defensor, former NCFP president and Asia's First GM Eugene Torre, Comelec commissioner Mehol Sadain, Nueva Vizcaya Gubernatorial candidate Atty. Ernie Salunat and Asia's First IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.

NM Nick Nisperos, Albert Rivera, Jun Balgan, NM Efren Bagamasbad and NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. join Estimo and Mayor to the Grand Finale after making it to the top seven spot.

Actually, journalist/ radio commentator Bernardino took the seventh and last slot to progress after a superior quotient in the group of 4.5 pointers in the company of Music instructor/ Tenor Christoper Castellano, engineer Octavio Canta and NCFP Leyte coordinator engineer NM Mario Rebano.

The 37 player's field event in Quezon City was attended, strong players like NM Eduardo Agagon, PNP Col. Jaime Santos, Musician-Singer Willy San Juan, accountant Ricky Navalta, Pasig City Chess Club president Dennis San Juan, engineer Apollo Zantua, Banker Gabriel Kayanan, engineer Marianito Quinto, Leo Ricana and Joey Pastrana whose eyeing to the seven allotted slot for Finale.

According to chief arbiter Boyet Tardecilla, the top five-winner (Mayor, Estimo, Nisperos, Rivera and Balgan) will get 1st prize Colored TV, 2nd prize Washing Machine, 3rd prize Stand Fan, 4th prize Electronic Airport and 5th prize Electronic Flat Iron, respectively.

The action will resume this weekend when the 2nd leg gets going on Saturday at the same venue.

For inquiry, please text or call at mobile nos. 0915-936-0354, 0919-478-2209, 0922-882-2870, 0915-782-8666 and tel.no. (02) 704-9775 for complete details.

(MARLON BERNARDINO)

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Well, I guess it's business as usual for the NCFP.