GM ANTONIO TOPS JOSEPH ILETO MEMORIAL OPEN CHESS

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA—FILIPINO Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio
Jr., bested compatriot Fide Master Joel “Cholo” Banawa in the fourth
round then proceed to a draw with American IM Jack Peters in the fifth
and final round to emerged over-all champion in the just concluded
10th annual Joseph Ileto Memorial Open Chess Championships here at the
Monterey Park over the weekend.

The former University of Manila (UM) stand-out actually finished in a
tie for place with Fide Master Takahashi Iwamoto with 4.5 points
apiece in five games of play.However, Antonio won the title after tie
break points was applied. Earlier, Antonio brought downed Steven Cheng
Qian, Daniel Bryant and Jesse Victoria.

Antonio, the top player of multi-titlist Philippine Army Chess Team is
in a roll in the US Chess Circuit whose stint here is being supported
by NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Philippines Sports
Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Filipino boxing
idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

“Nagpapasalamat ulit ako kina NCFP president Butch Pichay, PSC
chairman Butch Ramirez, Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao at sa ka
team mate ko na si Ruben Ondangan na tumulong sa kampanya ko dito sa
US Chess Circuit,” said Antonio, who is currently based here in
Lancaster, California, hosted by his former UM team mate Ruben
Ondangan.

It was Antonio’s seventh straight title in the United States following
his triumphs in the 2008 Super Blitz Open Chess Championships was held
recently at the famous Chess Palace in Los Angeles, California. He
also topped the 2008 Motor City Open at the Universal Chess Club in
Auburn Hills, Michigan on November 28 to 30, 17th North American Fide
Invitational at the Skokie, Illinois on November 15 to 21, 2008 Los
Angeles Open on October 31 to November 2 in Los Angeles, California,
8th Universal Annual Swiss Chess Open on September 28 in Auburn Hills,
Michigan and the G/19 on October 19 in Scottdale, Georgia.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO