A woodpusher from Iloilo gave pride to the Ilonggo community after outsmarting other competing teams in the tournament.
Diomel John Escutin of Barrio Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City ranked third in the chess events of the recent University Athletics Association of the Philippine (UAAP) Season 82, behind Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines.
With his sterling executions, Escutin was also awarded as best chess athlete under 8-years old in the Shell National Active Youth Championship and finished 11th overall out of the hundreds of participants of all age brackets.
The former student of PAREF-Westbridge also starred in local competitions when he was in high school. For two years, Escutin and his team clinched two gold medals and one silver during the National and Regional PRISAA, the recent SEA Games, and was selected to be a member of the Philippine team Visayas leg.
Meanwhile, La Carlota native Mark Nonoy also pulled off a stunner after he was named Rookie of the Year in the men’s basketball of the UAAP Season 82.
It’s been 10 years since University of Santo Tomas was the home to the season’s Rookie of the Year, back when Jeric Teng got the hardware in 2009.
But this year, Nonoy fulfilled the promise after getting the coveted award. The former player of Hua Siong College of Iloilo (HSCI) said it was a great moment for his young career. The 19-year-old kid of coach Aldin Ayo catches the attention of the crowd with his quickness and agressiveness in the court. During their first semis game, he paced the Growling Tigers in silencing UP for the coveted victory.IMT
