GM Gomez halves point Do-or-die match on tap

Grandmaster John Paul Gomez drew with Indonesian GM Susanto Megaranto for a share of the lead after five rounds of the Eastern Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

It was the second straight draw for Gomez that improved his tally to 4 points on three wins and two draws as he continued to share top spot with Megaranto, Mongolian FIDE Master Urtnasan Nasanjargal and Vietnamese International Master Nguyen Van Huy. Nasanjargal split the point with Mongolian GM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa while Nguyen toppled FM Tsedvee Lkhagvasuren also of Mongolia.

Gomez next faces IM Sumiya Bilguun of Mongolia, who currently has 3.5 points.

In the distaff side, Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza clinched his second straight win at the expense of Mongolian Davaakhuu Munkhzul to hike her tally to 3 points at ninth to 15th places. 18 holes but won Nos. 5, 6 and 8 before winning Nos. 13 and 14 to wrap up the ladies crown in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific and hosted by CCC.

It’s now or never for Generika-Ayala and PLDT Home Fibr as they dispute the last semifinal seat in sudden death in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Action starts at 4 p.m. with both the Lifesavers and the Power Hitters looking to catch the last bus to the next round of the women’s club tourney bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

Reigning champion Petron was the first to book a seat in the semifinals when it crushed Sta. Lucia in straight sets. Then, Cignal followed with a masterful conquest of United VC in the second game.

F2 Logistics, in contrast, threaded the eye of a needle before surviving a rejuvenated Foton side, 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-19, in a quarterfinal showdown late Thursday that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.