Mark Christian Evangelista swept all his five games including a final round win over Ali Mohamed Charistma to reign supreme in the men’s B2 section of the 2021 Pilipinas Para Games online chess competition done online Sunday night.
Evangelista prevailed over Martin Lucero, Ireneo Melchor Pizzaro, Jr., Abraham Peligro and Charles Vincent Talusan to claim the gold medal and pocket the top purse worth P30,000 courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Finishing second and third were Pizzaro and Peligro, who bagged the silver and bronze and P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Most importantly, the top three will have a chance to make the national para team as they play against the country’s top players before the year ends.
“We thank the PSC for supporting our grassroots development program of the national para chess team,” said tournament director James Infiesto. “The future of Philippine para chess could come from this new batch woodpushers.”
In the men’s P1 division, John Franz de Asis ruled the section followed by Eric Abanco and Jordaine Tupaz.
Other victors were Geronimo Torres, Kenneth Namisato and Emmanuel Closa, Jr. (B1-men), Mark Christian Evangelista, Ireneo Melchor Pizzaro, Jr. and Abrham Peligro (B2-men), Aimee Dumagpi and Clarence Orena (P1-women), Siena Mae Requiron, Regina Abogado and Marilou Lucero (B2-women), and Yolanda Pespes, Kyla Jane Langue and Abigail Magno (B1-women).