TOP seed NM Edsel Montoya and WIM Kylen Joy Mordido lived up to their high billing by ruling the men’s and women”s divisions in the 2023 Philippine National Games.

Montoya, the highest-rated player in the tourament with an ELO of 2329, topped the men’s standard division with 6.5 points on six wins and one draw in the seven-round, 63-player competition.

The 39-year-old campaigner from Cebu finished a full point ahead of three players — Gelmar Tuazon, Nick Pabroquez and Arnel June Iligan and 1.5 points ahead of top favorite Karl Ochoa and six other players.

In final round matches, Montoya defeated Paul Matthew Llanillo, Tuason bested Elmer Avila Sumngat, Pabroquez upset Joey Albert Florendo and Iligan downed Joel Delfin.

In the women’s division, Mordido swept her first six assingments before settling for a draw with Francois Marie Magpily to close out with 6.5 points.

Rinoa Mariel Sadey trounced Irish Yngayo and Jerlyn Mae San Diego humbled Faith Mangubat to join Magpily in second to fourth places with 5.5 points.

In the Standard Senior category, IM Cris Ramayrat topped the event with 5.5 points on four wins and three draws.

Ramayrat finished in a tie with NM Anthony Makinano with 5.5 points, but clinched the crown with higher tiebreak score.

Top seed IM Rico Mascarinas settled for third place with five points, followed by Jashfer Gonzales and Edgar Tullao with 4.5 points.

Sharing the limelight were Jhoemar Mendiogarin of Calamba, IM Eric Labog of Pasig and IM Joel Concio of Dasmarinas, who copped the top three places in the men’s rapid division; WFM Cherry Ann Mejia of Taguig, Francois Marie Magpily of Mandaluyong and WIM Kylen Joy Mordido of Dasmarinas, who dominated the women’s rapid category; and Mascarinas, Ramyrat and Jimmy Dano of Digos City, who finished 1-2-3 in the men’s senior rapid class.

The tournament is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Standings

Men

6.5 points — E. Montoya
5.5 — G. Tuazon, N. Pabroquez, A. Iligan
5– E, Sumngat, P. Llanillo, K. Ochoa, J. Rivera, J. Caresosa, A. Aguilar, J. Ty.

Women

6.5 points — K. Mordido
5.5 — R. Sadey, F. Magpily, J. San Diego
5 — I. Yngayo, G. Tatoy, B. Mendoza