bahneh's world

Final Rankings: 9-round Swiss format with match point scoring system
Cebu City - 15 points
Quezon City - 12 points
Tagaytay, Taguig, Bacolod-A, Talisay, Mandaluyong, Binalonan - 11 points
Misamis Oriental, Muntinlupa, Gen. Trias - 10 points
Maritima, Bacolod-B, Magalona - 9 points
Lake Sebu, Bohol, Bayaan, Capiz - 8 points
Bais City - 7 points
Aklan - 6 points
Calamba-A - 3 points
Calamba-B - 0


For all those who care to know, a team from Cebu City (IM Richard Bitoon, Voltaire Sevillano, Richard Natividad and "import" Jason Salubre) recently won the 2008 National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Championship in Bacolod City.

GMA News ran a story about Cebu being virtual champ with a round to spare but did not bother to provide a wrap-up to give us the final rankings. Luckily, Sun.Star Bacolod carried the story, although the angle was not necessarily about Cebu winning the event but understandably about Bacolod making it to the top 10.

What's so special about this Cebu City team is that this is probably the first time a team from Cebu participated in this annual event. (If there was any Cebu team that competed in the inter-city in the last couple of years, oh please tell me about it!)

The last time I know of a Cebu city team in the inter-city was in CDO in 1998 or 1999 - a decade ago! During those times, up to two titled players were allowed to play in a team (we had IM Rico Mascarinas and NM Elwin Retanal), while now only one titled player is allowed. If you're wondering how I know these things, no, it's not because chess has super sharpened my memory. I just happen to be part of that fateful squade (other members were Anthony Makinano, Carlos Moreno and team captain Linky Yap, an international arbiter who is now teaching at a chess academy in Singapore along with Rico).

Anyway, it's quite unfortunate the Sun.Star Cebu did not carry a single piece about the tournament. The sports editor told me they will do a post-event story, possibly a feature, and will get in touch with the City Council's sports committee for some reaction and hopefully some perks.

When I read about the Cebu city team competing in Bacolod, the first thing that came into my mind was, who funded this team? The Cebu City Government has a history of being lackadaisical in providing support to sports that do not have politically-savvy "godfathers."

Anyway, for a chess buff from Cebu like me, it was truly refreshing to know that a bisdak team has won all the marbles.

Before I end this post, I'd also like to point out that a team powered by Cebu players notched third place in the recent Inter-Province in Surigao del Sur. Natividad, Sevillano and current Cebu sensation Kim Steven Yap (the son of Linky) teamed up with Bacolod's NM Rolando Andador to secure third place for the DPWH-backed Bislig team in the annual event.

How I would love to see Bitoon, Sevillano, Natividad and Yap team up for next year's edition of the inter-city and inter-province. Based on their record in this year's events, particularly the smashing performance in the inter-province, I wouldn't be surprised if they'd make a clean sweep in '09.

And one last thing, as far as I can recall there had been no Cebu Province team that competed in the National Inter-Province since 1994.

Now you ask again, how'd I know this? You figure.