by Marlon Bernardino
IN preparation for bigger tournaments lined up for him this year, National Master (NM) Edmundo Gatus dominated the Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) blitz chess tournament at the Alphaland Makati Place, Ayala Avenue in Makati City Thursday night (March 22, 2018).

The former University of Manila (UM) standout Gatus scored 7.0 points to emerge as solo champion in the one-day blitz tourney sponsored by Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A.Orbe.

The Tondo, Manila bet Gatus is scheduled to compete in the 2018 Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Seniors chess championships in Davao City on June 17-27, 2018.

Dr. Alfredo "Fred" Paez, the Press Relation Officer (PRO) of Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) and Information Technology (IT) specialist Joselito Cada came second and third place with 6.5 points each.

Rounding up to the top 10 were 4th place NM Al Bernardino Jr. (5.5 pts.), 5th place Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A.Orbe (5 pts.), 6th place businessman Emil Colindres (5 pts.), 7th place Dr.Jenny Mayor (4.5 pts.), 8th place Clement Valledor (4 pts.) and Tyrone Guya (4.0 pts.) and 10th place Noel Garcia (2 pts.).-Marlon Bernardino-