MANILA -- Filipino Grandmaster Mark Paragua turned back Indian GM Getha Gopal Nayanan in the second round of the 4th President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Cup International Chess Championship at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranaque City.

Thus, he has joined a five-way tie with four other chess players atop the tournament ranking on Thursday.

Joining Paragua at the top with 2 points out of two rounds of play are GM John Paul Gomez, International Master Ronald Dableo, IM Barlo Nadera and Singaporean GM Wong Meng Kong.

The 25-year-old Paragua, who brought down fellow Filipino Rainier Labay in the first round, defeated Nayanan in 50 moves of the Sicilian Defense.

“Sana mahawakan ko ang momentum,” Paragua told sports website BilliardPhilippines.com.

However, compatriots Dableo and Nadera scored the biggest upsets in the second round.

Dableo Georgian GM Merab Gagunashvili after 93 moves of Birds Opening while Nadera stunned World Chess Cup bound GM Darwin Laylo in 63 moves of the Queen’s Pawn Game.

Gomez won his match against IM Emmanuel Senador after 41moves of sthe French Defense while Wong defeated Armenian GM Tigran Kotanjian after 34 moves of the Sicilian Defense.

Defending PGMA Cup champion Eugene Torre, Asia’s First GM, notch his second straight draw this time against NM Allan Macala after 46 moves of Pirc Defense.

“Malalakas talaga ang mga local player natin, kailangan lamang sila bigyan ng break,” said Torre, whose first match to top PNP player NM Ali Branzuela also ended into a draw.

The nine-round Swiss tournament’s $6,000 lion’s share will go to the over-all champion. The FIDE event offers a total prize of $40,000.