Cebuanos keep on charging

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's homegrown talents led by Candidate Master Jerish John Velarde, KC Morala and Palaro gold medallists Alphecca Gonzales and Regina Catherine Quiñanola marched forward with aplomb after four rounds of action in the 2017 National Age-Group Chess Championships (NAGCC) Grand Finals yesterday at Robinsons Galleria Cebu atrium.

After falling in Round 2, Velarde of Marie Ernestine School based in Lapu-Lapu City swept his next two games to place himself at joint third to fifth in the boys 12-under with fellow Cebuano John Lester Belano and Reign Joshua Vinuya with 3.0 points each.

Michael Concio Jr. of Manila is the solo leader in their age-group with a perfect 4.0 points followed by Joshua Michael Yongco with 3.5 points.

Morala, a varsity of University of San Carlos split her games after a 2-0 start to find herself at joint third to seventh in the girls 20-under with Venice Vicente, Virgenie Ruaya and Women's FIDE Master Marie Antoinette San Diego on identical 3.0 points.

Mira Mirano is on top of the heap with 4.0 points followed by Ella Grace Moulic with 3.5 points.

On the other hand, Gonzales and Quiñanola, who produced gold for Central Visayas in last month's Palarong Pambansa in San Jose, Antique, posted 3.0 points each for a joint second to third place in the girls 14-under behind Ruth Joy Vinuya with 3.5 points.

Laila Camel Nadera, for her part, momentarily runs at fourth in the girls 18-under with 2.5 points behind WFM Allanney Jia Doroy with 4.0 points and Robelle de Jesus and Rizalyn Tejada with 3.0 points.

In the girls 16-under, Glybel Jane Quiñanola is at second spot with 3.0 points behind the 4-0 Kylen Joy Mordido.

Krisen Yochabel Marie Sanchez is at third in the girls 12-under with 3.0 points behind Queen Rose Pamplona and Marjeri Janapin with 3.5 points apiece, while Kristina Concepcion Belano is at fifth in the girls 10-under with 3.0 points.

In the boys division, Duane Borgonia dropped to fourth in 16-under with 2.5 points, Jave Mareck Peteros is at solo third in 14-under with 3.0 points, while Sean Kenneth Cogonon is at fourth in 10-under with 3.0 points.

The top three winners in all categories of the week-long tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) will represent the country in the ASEAN Youth Chess Championships in Vietnam later this year. (FREEMAN)