By Kristel Satumbaga
International Master Daniel Quizon needed a strong start to fend off furious attempts from Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla and Joel Pimentel to rule the fourth leg of the 1st Philippine Bullet Championship done online Saturday night.
IM Daniel Quizon
Quizon, 15, went on an 11-game streak to start his campaign, and then suffered six defeats in his next 21 games before closing out with three straight triumphs which he capped with a victory over IM Paulo Bersamina to rule the event with 83 points.
The United States-based Barcenilla, the opening leg champion, had a slow start but came roaring back to finish second with 82 points. Pimentel, who ruled the third leg, wound up third with 81.
Rounding up the top 10 were Chester Neil Reyes, GM Darwin Laylo, Sherwin Tiu, FIDE Master Arden Reyes, Karl Ochoa, Jayson Salubre and Ellan Aseula.
It was the first title for Quizon in this weeklong tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines after two runner-up finishes in the first two legs and a dismal 21st place finish in the third leg.
It was actually one of the two titles he snared on the same day as he also reigned in the Rising Phoenix Qualifier 5 Arena.
The Dasmariñas-based Quizon scored 44 points there ahead of AJ Literatus and Karl Ochoa, who came in second and third with 40 apiece.