RETANAL TOPS REP. UNGAB CHESSFEST

Here's another post of the result of the 2nd Cong. Ungab Cup Mixed-Masters.


Retanal tops Rep. Ungab chessfest
By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

(Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 6, 2009 ).


NATIONAL Master (NM) Elwin Retanal of Malita, Davao del Sur earned 6.5 points to clinch the 2nd Rep. Ungab Cup Mixed Masters Chess Tournament held at Don Juan Central Elementary School covered court in Toril, Davao City over the weekend.

Jayson Salubre, who was half-point behind Retanal, placed second while Asean Paralympic gold medalist Henry Roger Lopez and Reynaldo Quinones tied for third and fourth place with identical 5.5 points.

Retanal received a cash prize of P10,000 while Salubre got P6,000 and the two next placers went home with P4,000 and P2,000, respectively.

Retanal, whose stint was backed up by Malita Mayor Benjamin Bautista, former congressman Claude Bautista, Representative Franklin Bautista and Malita Chess Club president Jorge Alcoy, said he was elated with the victory.

"I'm very happy. I just got lucky. I just maintained my consistent performance in every round," Retanal said.

Retanal added that with the championship, he was able to fulfill his promise to Mayor Bautista.

"I told him that I would win the Toril tournament as a gift for his October 7 birthday that also falls on the same date of the Malita fiesta," Retanal said.

The chess tournament was presented by Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab as a venue to help promote the sport to young and adults alike.

A handful of youth woodpushers saw action in the two-day tournament organized by the Metro Toril Chess Association headed by lawyer Jong Guevarra. (MLSA)