International Master Joel Pimentel topped the Governor Henry Oaminal-backed 2nd Philippine Armageddon Battle of Champions in Misamis Occidental on Monday.
The 32-year-old Pimentel, who won the maiden Asenso Misamis Occidental National Rapid Open Chess Tournament on July 8-9, 2023 in Clarin, Misamis Occidental, placed runner-up behind Fide Master Alekhine Nouri in last year's debut of the Battle of Champions in Ozamiz.