Manila: Vladimir Lait swept the Rapid category of the Don Tomas Mapua Centennial Chess Cup held Saturday at Mapua University gym in Intramuros, Manila. On his way to the title and the PHP10,000 prize, the Grade 12 student defeated Kyla Marie Vallesfin, Gian Ztdric Sucao, Allan Anthony Alvarez, Rodel Bobila, Alexsis Enrico Jacinto, Christian Arroyo, and Glenn Midel Delos Santos.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lait expressed his happiness with the victory, having previously bagged the Rookie of the Year award in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 100. In the tournament, Arroyo and Arjoe Loanzon finished with 6 points each, while Delos Santos, John Paolo Gaspar Medina, Austin Jay Tablan, Daniel Mondares, and George Quinto had 5.5 points each. Bobila and Jacinto scored 5 points each.
In the Blitz category, Von Arvie Barbosa of Taytay, Rizal, clinched the title with 8 points. Mark Tupas, Christian Roche Thompson, and Marlon Montoya finished close behind with 7.5 points each. David Mojar and Stephen Von Estavillo tallied 7 points each, while Enrique Naperi, Mark Joseph Barbosa, John Christopher Alvarado, and Karl Christian Coleto registered 6.5 points each.
Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Mapua University president Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III attended the opening ceremony of the tournament. The event was organized by the Mapua Filipino-Chinese Alumni Association, Inc., Mapua Athletics Department, and Mapua University Sports Enthusiasts Organization.
