Oct 14, 2026
Lawyer Sherily Cua makes memorable debut in Cagayan de Oro chess
Cagayan de Oro City — The first time Woman Fide Master Sherily Cua set foot in the City of Gold for competitive chess, she made it personally memorable as the three-time representative of the Philippines at the World Chess Olympiad emerged champion in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Games 2026 Chess Tournament.
The Cagayan de Oro hosting of the prestigious IBF chessfest was held Oct. 9 at SM Uptown which saw the Central Luzon pawnpushers sharing the spotlight with Cua by lording it over in the team event.
"It's really fun to be here for the first time in Cagayan de Oro, playing on top of the pre-male dominated individual category. The many places for tourist spots, the good vibes, the food culture and peaceful environment to enjoy," said Cua, a lawyer who wants to be an inspiration for the chess-playing youths that aspire to become legal professionals someday.
"Since chess involves strategic plans and thinking ahead in a smart way, it definitely gives an edge for a chess player to pursue law in college," she added.
The 39-year-old Cua, who represented Southern Luzon Region, ruled the individual rapid category with a dominant 6.5 points performance in the 7-round Swiss System tournament.
Cua actually had a shaky start escaping from a losing position against Dabawenyo lawyer Roland Reyes in the first round before scoring three straight wins. She pulled off another nightmarish escape opposite lawyer Adrian Alain Llanos of Antique Chapter in the fifth round before settling for a draw with Lawrence Earl Roy Gersalia of Bicolandia in the sixth round.
Llanos settled for solo second place with 6 points, while defending champion Jason Maxino Bandal of Negros Oriental finished third after prevailing in the tie-break against Judylito Ulanday of Central Luzon.
Local bet Robert Manto of the Misamis Oriental Chapter put up a good fight for the home turf after a good start in the first four rounds with a win against Orlando Ba-alan of Palawan, Paulino Cangayo III of Bicolandia Region and Clifford Enoc of Central Visayas Chapter.
Manto narrowly missed a win against Israel Colmo of Antique Chapter in the third round when he failed to convert his two-pawn advantage in the rook-and-pawn endgame.
Nonetheless, the Misamis Oriental pride Manto managed to climb to board two in the fifth round but lost in a seemingly equal position against Lawrence Earl Roy Gersalia of Bicolandia.
It was a heart-breaking loss for Manto as a win against Gersalia could pave the way for him to face Cua in the top board in the following round. He finished with 4.5 points.
Meanwhile, the Central Luzon Region team composed of Ulanday, Rodrigo Aquino Jr. and Gabrielle Kenth Hayashi, won the rapid team competition with an aggregate of 15 points after seven rounds, a full point ahead of the field.
The Central Luzon Region started strong in the early rounds with Bicolandia also holding its ground and even took the lead in the middle rounds.
Surprisingly, the Palawan Chapter — made up of Nazi Jester Erfe, Orlando Ba-alan and Jaquelene Ann Tambal — overtook Bicolandia in the last two rounds to claim the second spot with 14 points to show.
Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon of Cua tied for third place with identical 13.5 points each, as Eastern Visayas secured solo third after superior tie-break points over Southern Luzon Region.
