Sia tops Cepca monthly chess

PETERSON Sia survived a final round loss to clinch this month’s Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Monthly Chess crown at the Deep Blue Cafe at the SM City Cebu last weekend.

Sia was named the player for July after escaping Miguel Banibane behind his 14.5 tie break points. Banibane placed second while Manny Abucay settled for third.

Sia lost to veteran Banibane in the fifth and final round but he had superior tiebreak points against Banibane and Manny Abucay. He won four straight games against Jun Pasion, Ruel Hortelano, Atty. Boy Tumulak and Renato Robillos before losing to Banibane.

Joe Atillo and Ruel Robillos placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Sia joins other monthly winners Atty. Jong Melendez, National Master (NM) Arnold Cadiz, Percy Fiel, Maggi Dionson, and Manny Abucay in the December grand finals. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL