Angeles City, Pampanga — The players who called themselves BNU Russian Comrade topped the Senator Manny Pacquiao chess team tournament on Sunday at Robinsons Balibago in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Anatoly Pascua and Vladimir Lait anchored BNU's campaign in the seventh and final round by beating Alfredo Balquin Jr. and John Mauricc Delos Santos of the Ratsadahan chess team on boards 2 and 3, respectively.

Jerry Areque, meanwhile, defeated Sheider Nebato on board 1 to prevent a possible shutout loss for the Ratsadahan team.

BNU Russian Comrade finished the tournament with six wins and a draw with a total output of 16 points to rule the 54-team competition.

The tournament, that requires a 2000 average rating per three-man team, was organized by John Salcedo and assisted by National Arbiter Edward Serrano and National Arbiter Alfred Miranda.

With topping the tournament, the BNU Russian Comrade team received P40,000 and a trophy.

BNU also defeated Medina, 3-0, in the first round; Black Tiger, 2-1, in the second round; Jama Apparels aka Chess Team, 3-0, in the third round,; Red Horse, 2.5-0.5, in the fifth round; and Ratsadahan Uno, 2-1, in the sixth round.

The team settled for a draw with BNU UP, 1.5-1.5, in the fourth round. "We're very happy and relieved. Finally, no more matches, we can finally rest and just enjoy," said the Cavite bet Pascua, team top scorer with six wins and a draw.

"We' re so glad that we won this tough tournament and we are thankful to the sponsor our beloved Senator Manny Pacquiao and Tournament organizer Mr. John Salcedo for organizing this event," said Lait, the team's second best scorer with five wins and 2 draws.

The Tira-Tira Sampaloc B chess team of Kelly Rancalp, Vladimir Gonzales and RJ Domingo wound up second with a total of 15.5 points to pocket the runner-up prize of P25,000 and a trophy.

Ratsadahan Uno of National Master Bob Jones Liwagon, Rommel Llavanes and Paul Sanchez also scored 15.5 points but dropped to third place after the tie-break. They earned P15,000 and a trophy.

Meanwhile, Pat Ferdolf Macabulos scored 6.5 points to win the Senator Manny Pacquiao Individual Youth division followed by Mark Noah Ventayen at second place and Soffia Joy Mamangun at third place.