Scrabble Scribbles (July 3, 1996 Issue)

(Appeared in The Evening Paper - Sports Page)

Scrabble Scribbles by Butch Maniego
July 3, 1996


CLUB UPDATE:

Another solid provincial club may be found in, of all places, Daet, Camarines Norte. This hardy group is named the Word Explorers and its president is Abelardo Fermo. Based on a tournament they had last March, the first Camarines Norte Scrabble Championship, they have at least 18 members, the best known of whom is consistent national competitor, Rolly Mandapat.

Other top players in Camarines Norte include Rey Velasco, Jose Cabarle, Laurenti Zano, Zaldy Data and Augustus Portem.

They have plans for a major tournament this coming August 3, Saturday in conjuction with the Pineapple Festival and the many sports related activities in town. It will be held at the Daet Chess Center.

TOURNAMENT NEWS:

In Los Banos last Saturday, 10 players showed up for an OSPD-only meet sponsored by the area's club. Ver Morales took the title with a superior spread and a 6-2 win-loss slate. LB regulars Andy Aquino and Mario Miranda were second and third, respectively, also with 6-2 records.

Meanwhile, at the regular Shakey's (Makati Ave.) Sunday Scrabble Series, Unilab Club president (and SCAPI VP) Oscar Rivera directed the tournament which drew 22 participants.

Ronald "The Incredible" Credo registered the first sweep in the series, going 8-0. Shakey's first-timer Boy Laporte surprised even himself by placing second at 6-2 while Romy Almazan was third with 5.5 points. Bing Lao led three others with 5-3 records - Mon Genato, Andy Aquino and Charlie Acain.

Special prizes went to the following: Mario Recedes (SPINNED) and Rudy Chavez (OVERWILY) for single high turn (101 pts.); Leo Capuno for single high game (565); and Credo once more for most bingos - 17 from eight games.

I will be hosting this coming Sunday's tournament along with Macky Maceda (hopefully) and with help from some friends like Jun Bernardino and Sonny Barrios of the PBA, my bosses Bobong and Ricky Velez at VTV Primetime and Vintage Sports, Mr. Elmer Yanga of RFM, coach Norman Black of San Miguel Beer, Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty, The Evening Paper (via some subscriptions) plus some others while the major sponsor will be super player-agent Danny Espiritu, Mr. Wilduck himself.