Seasoned Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. dealt tournament leader GM Wesley So his first draw in the ongoing Battle of GMs at the Pavilion Hotel in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte during their sixth-round match up.

Antonio (ELO 2519), who won a string of competitions in the US circuit late last year, decided to split the point with the 15-year-old So (ELO 2627) following his win over GM Jayson Gonzales (ELO 2468) in the fifth round.

So, however, continues to lead the tournament with 5.5 points on five wins and one draw after six rounds of play in the tournament. Antonio is second with 4 points on two wins and four draws.

Ranked third is GM John Paul Gomez with 3.5 points. He is followed by a five-way tie for the number 4 position by GMs Eugene Torre, Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, and International Masters (IM) Richard Bitoon and Rolando Nolte, who all scored 3 points.

GM Buenaventura Villamayor and IM Julio Catalino Sadorra share the number five spot with 2.5 points, while IM Ronald Dableo is at sixth with 1 point.

Meanwhile, Woman National Master (WNM) Cristy Lamile Bernales and Woman Fide Master Catherine Perena scored separate wins over their respective opponents in the womens' division.

Bernales bounced back after two straight losses by defeating WNM Jedara Docena in the sixth round while Perena vanquished WNM Kimberly Cunanan.

Scores after Round 6
GM So (5.5 points)
GM Antonio (4 points)
GM Gomez (3.5 points)
GM Laylo (3 points)
IM Bitoon (3 points)
GM Paragua (3 points)
IM Nolte (3 points)
GM Torre (3 points)
GM Villamayor (2.5 points)
IM Sadorra (2.5 points)
GM Gonzales (1.5 point)
IM Dableo (1 point)