ARENA International Master Lyndon Lumancas shared the spotlight with Pastor Rey Laput during the launching tournament of the SM-GCF Chess Hub in preparation for a series of youth-centered events by the Golden Chess Friends.
“We are happy to announce that SM has committed to supporting our local chess programs for the children by providing us a viable venue for our coming chess tournaments,” GCF founding head Benoni Wabe told Gold Star Daily.
Held on the 5th floor of the SM Downtown’s Play Park, both Lumancas and Laput finished with a similar eight points in the Rapid nine-round tourney, but with Lumancas bagging the championship with better tiebreak results.
Still, it was the underdog Laput’s brilliant performance that caught everybody’s attention.
Laput, who nearly upset Lumancas in their match that ended in a draw, produced scintillating wins including those at the expense of Mindanao executive champion Cleto ‘Bong’ Vasquez and battle-tested veteran Mario Arroyo in the presence of his wife Corrine Joy dangling with their little boy.
“Sila akong inspiration. Nahimo kung pastor because my wife is a church clergy in Bukidnon and a former varsity chess player. Gibiyaan ko na ang bisyo labi na sigarilyo maong ni-improve akong chess,” Laput shared.
Indeed, putting God first in the center of one's life will make some magical moments on and off the 64-square board.
He then posted on his Facebook account: “Thank you Lord for the wisdom and favor, and thank you to my supportive beautiful wife Corrine Joy Perez Sayongan-Laput.”
Engr Paul Omongos (6.5 points), Vasquez (six pts), and Arroyo (5.5 pts) occupied third to fifth places, while fellow five-pointers Ritz Zander ‘Shirov’ Salgados, Renan Cantilado, Bobby Salomon and Naphtalie Wabe completed the top-nine moneyed circle.
