MANILA – Ilonggo John Franz De Asis emerged as champion in the recent 2021 Philippine Sports Commission – Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) Online Chess Competition for people with disabilities.
The Iloilo City native garnered 5.5 points on five wins and one draw to finish on top of the six-round tournament and capture the P30,000 top prize in the P1 (Physical Impaired) – Men category.
De Asis defeated Apollo Cabilan in the first round, Sean Mervick Tiu in the second round, Rogelio Clemente in the third round, Sol Tiamzon in the fourth round, and Ronnie Villa in the fifth before splitting with Eric Abanco in the final round.
Abanco, the pride of Bacolod City, settled for runner-up finish with five points and a cash prize of P20,000.
Jordaine Tupaz of Talisay City finished with bronze medal, and P10,000 cash.
Also finishing with five points but were lower in tie break compared to Abanco and Tupaz were fourth placer Alexis Elinon and fifth placer Joseph Gregana who pocketed P1,000 each plus medals.
Rounding up the top 10 winners were Ralph Anthony Velasco (4.5 points), Ronnie Villa (4 points), Sol Tiamzon (4 points), Ricardo Merano (4 points), and Max Dave Tellor (points). They each had P1,000 cash.
In the distaff side, Aime Dumagpi of Tondo, Manila defeated twice Clarence Oreña to claim the P1-Women’s top prize.
Other notable winners were Geronimo Torres (gold), Kenneth Namisato (silver) and Emmanuel Closas Jr.(bronze) for the B1 totally blind men’s class; Yoland Pespes (gold), Kyla Jane Langue (silver) and Abigail Magsanoc (bronze) for the B1 totally blind women’s side; Mark Christian Evangelista (gold), Ireneo Melchor Pizzaro Jr. (silver) and Abraham Peligro (bronze) for the B2 visually impaired mens portion; and Siera Mae Requiron (gold), Regina Abogado (silver) and Marilou Lucero (bronze) for the B2 visually impaired women’s category.
The three-day event was inspired by the success of the country’s Para woodpushers in producing the first-ever Filipino world champion in the 2020 International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) titlist Fide Master Sander Severino of Negros Occidental.
“We are launching this project to address our need for a truly comprehensive grassroots sports development program for our para-athletes, and continuously harness their full potential,” said PSC Oversight Commissioner for para-athletes Arnold Agustin./PN
