SUMA DOMINATES SCRABBLE TOURNY

WORLD youth scrabble veteran Mohammad Suma strung three victories, including two against Ferdinand Lucas—to rule the 17th Panagbenga Scrabble Tournament on Sunday at the Porta Vaga Mall.

The victory earned for the 23-year-old Suma the first two legs of the World Scrabble Tournament qualifiers.

Suma turned a tightly contested last round against Lucas into a rout of sorts when he dropped MOXAS for 63 points to cruise to the 422-383 victory. He finished with an 11.5-4.5 win-loss card and 1,110 spread points—the total of game differences in the 16-round, two-day competition. He earned P10,000 and a trophy. Suma returned to the top board in the 14th round after falling to board two in the 12th round when he lost to Melvin Dalangin, 358-528. But he returned to the top board two games later with convincing wins over his father Abdul, and Baguio City bet Malou Flores (449-339).

He topped the 15th round against Lucas, 447-366, to draw even with 10.5 wins and the top position due to his higher spread of 1,071 against the latter’s 730. Lucas fell to third place with 10.5 wins against 5.5 defeats and 697 spread, behind Dalangin who won over retired police colonel and lawyer Antonio Malonzo, 471-393, for an 11-5 card. Dalangin clinched P6,000 and a trophy, while Lucas took home P4,000 and also a trophy.

Malonzo wound up fifth, behind local Lewrenda Ambler. Both finished with a 10-6 card, but the former beauty queen, now an insurance company manager, had a higher spread of 387 against Malonzo’s 190.