EDILBERTO Velarde Jr. and Jose Atillo completed the 12 finalists for the grand finals of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (Cepca) after clinching the first and third places, respectively, in the last monthly finals held last Sunday at the Barracks Chess Club in Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
Velarde finished his campaign with 4.5 points to emerge as champion.
His son, Jerish John, Lapu-Lapu City’s chess phenom, and Atillo were tied for second with 4.0 points. The younger Velarde, 12, who is now a candidate master (CM), edged Atillo after accumulating a higher tie break score to finish second.
But Jerish John is not eligible to qualify for the grand finals next month as he is categorized in the kiddies division, paving the way for the 65-year-old Atillo to claim the December monthly finals. Edilberto won the November title.
Fourth place went to Norman Olivar, who also scored 4.0 points while Percival Fiel, who is the October monthly champion, settled for fifth place followed by Arje Villarin, who finished with 3.5 points.
Seventh to 10th placers were Solon Bagalihog (3.0), Jerry San Pascual (3.0), and Jun Pasion (3.0), respectively. They were ranked according to their tie-break score as well.
With the win, the elder Velarde and Atillo will join other monthly finalists Eduardo Dela Torre (January), Mario Bustillo (February), Rogelio Enriquez Jr. (March), Joselito Loques (April), Zilverstein Torres (May), Salazar (June), Arnolito Cadiz (July), Neal Amores (August), Richard Ouano (September), and Fiel (October). All will meet in the grand finals next month.
According to Cepca official Jun Olis, they will announce the tournament date of the grand finals this week.
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