TWO WOODPUSHERS from Cebu landed inside the Top 10 of the open division of the Mayor Jojo Palma and Atty. Titing Albaño Cup in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur last weekend.
The two were Edsel Montoya and Rommel Ganzon, who placed fifth and ninth, respectively in the tournament organized by Cebu-based chess patron Wilhem Joey Ardiente.
Both received P2,000 purse.
Montoya finished with 7.0 points while Ganzon scored 6.0.
The other Cebuanos who joined but didn’t make it to the top ten were Peterson Sia, Dione Patrick Miñoza and Cristaline Aquino.
Bacolod City’s National Master (NM) Hamed Nouri captured the title after scoring 7.5 points. He won P30,000.
NM Rustom Tolentino placed second and received P20,000 while Jhonnel Balquin placed third and took home P10,000.
Nouri’s son, FIDE Master (FM) Alekhine Nouri, a varsity player of the Far Eastern University (FEU), topped the top kiddie division after scoring 5.5 points.
Other special awardees were Henry Roger Lopez and Jezreel Lopez, who were named top executive and top lady players, respectively. Vic Garland Ardiente was the top local player while Joselito Dormitorio topped the seniors division.