Cebu’s GM Bitoon, Laylo rebound; Gomez still leads

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino Grandmasters Darwin Laylo and Richard Bitoon of Cebu rebounded with emphatic wins over their respective rivals yesterday in the second round of the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room in Manila.

Smarting from a first round setback to GM John Paul Gomez on Sunday, Laylo subdued Fide Master Jony Habla and climbed to 1.0 point, a full point behind with solo leader Gomez (2.0 points), who won by default over International Master Emmanuel Senador.

Bitoon for his part, stunned Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre to match the output of Laylo and six others in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Also with 1.0 point are last year’s champion GM Mark Paragua, GM Oliver Barbosa, US-based GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla and IM Richilieu Salcedo III.

Twelve-time National Open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Pimentel share second place with 1.5 points apiece.

Antonio who drew with GM Barcenilla in the first round, beat National Master Narquinden Reyes while Pimentel, who upset GM Bitoon on Sunday, halved the point with IM Salcedo.

Paragua, meantime drew with GM Barbosa and FM Roderick Nava. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino