PHILIPPINE Army crowned itself as the overall champion in the first PCAP Inter-Commercial chess team championships at the Estancia Mall in Pasig City over the weekend.

Army leaned on the brilliant showing of Bob Jones Liwagon and Vince Medina to bring down PHILSPADA-A, 11-4, and capture the championship in the tough, three-day competition organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).

Liwagon swept Henry Lopez in blitz and James Infiesto in rapid, while Medina overwhelmed Arman Subaste in blitz and Darry Bernardo in rapid to lead Army to victory.

Kevin Arquero also came through with a 2-1 victory over FM Sander Severino.

IM Ronald Dableo, Kevin Mirano and Alfredo Rapanot also contributed to the success of Army, which won over Buenaviel Construction, 8-7, in the play-in and Datamtics 8.5-7.5, in the semis.

With the win, Army pocketed the top prize of P50,000.

PHILSPADA-A, which defeated BAZFAM, 9-6, in the play-in, and Petrochem, 8.5-6.5 , in the semis, settled for runner-up honor.

Datamatics, led by Stephen Manzanro and Kevn Labog, finished third while Petrochem, bannered by Kimuel Lorenzo and Nelson Busa, wound up fourth.

Buenavista and Bazfam shared fifth to sixth places.

The tournament was organized by PCAP, headed by Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and President Atty. Paul Elauria, and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), led by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.

Ferdinand Reyes was the supervising official.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya