MANILA – Iloilo City-native John Franz De Asis ruled the recently-concluded 2021 Philippine Sports Commission–Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) Online Chess Competition for people with disabilities that was virtually held on the Tornelo Platform on Sunday, Nov. 21.
De Asis collected 5.5 points on five wins and one draw to win the six-round tournament. He brought home the gold medal, a stuffed toy, and the P30,000 top prize in the P1 (Physical Impaired)-Men category.
De Asis scored victories over 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 and penultimate round.
He split the point with Eric Abanco in the sixth and final round.
Abanco, the pride of Bacolod City, took the second spot with 5 points for the runner-up prize of P20,000, silver medal, and stuffed toy.
Taking third was Jordaine Tupaz of Talisay City who similar 5 points but lower tie break to settle for P10,000, bronze medal, and stuffed toy.
Also with 5 points were 4th placer Alexis Elinon and 5th placer Joseph Gregana who pocketed P1,000 each plus medals.
Rounding up the top ten (10) winners who also got P1,000 each was sixth Ralph Anthony Velasco (4.5 pts), seventh Ronnie Villa (4 pts.), eight Sol Tiamzon (4 pts.), ninth Ricardo Merano (4 pts.) and tenth Max Dave Tellor (4 pts.).
On the distaff side, Aime Dumagpi defeated twice Clarence Oreña, two-zero 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 men’s portion, Siera Mae Requiron (gold), Regina Abogado (silver) and Marilou Lucero (bronze) for the B2 visually impaired women’s category.
The three-day event is inspired by the success of the country’s Para woodpushers on the international stage, producing a first-ever Filipino world champion in the 2020 International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) titlist Fide Master Sander Severino and a fourth-place finish in the team competition of the recent 4th World Chess Championship.
“We are launching this project in a continued effort 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. (PR) – bny
