Favorites show way in Shell chess tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Kevin Mirano and No. 2 Sheider Nebato swept their first four matches to lead eight others in the lead halfway through the Southern Luzon leg of the 2009 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships at SM City in Batangas City over the weekend.

Mirano thumped Casper Cruz, Kevin Bayle, Leonard Libongcogon and Eric Malayba, while Nebato trounced Jay Cruz, Angelo Baybay, Aevejohn Alcantara and Sherwin Tiu as they geared up for a battle royale for the juniors crown in the seven-round tournament serving as the third leg of the seven-stage nationwide circuit sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.

Joining the fancied duo at the helm are Patrick Florendo, Richelieu Salcedo, Jude Fronda, Antonio Chavez, Wilbert Pilarta, Luffe Magdalaga, Gerald Ferriol and Revin Vasallo, who upset third seed Albert Florendo in the fourth round of the two-day regional elims under the Shell Active Chess program, which supports the empowerment of the youth as part of the company’s overall Sustainable Development commitment.

Seventh seed Jose Turqueza, held to a draw by Joshua Nuestro in the third round, led the 3.5-point group in the 20-and-under division, including Arvin Tejada, Edison Magpantay and Nuestro.

Gracing the opening of the event were Luz Amparo, secretary to the Mayor of Batangas City, and Daday de Leon, Upstream and Downstream Batangas communications manager of Pilipinas Shell, and Bong Moraleja, executive assistant III of the Province of Batangas. De Leon and Moraleja later made the ceremonial moves to kick off the tournament backed by Shell Fuels, Shellane, Shell Helix, and McDonald’s, in partnership with SM Supermalls and Paseo Reale Cagayan.

A down-to-the-wire battle for the kiddies title also loomed with 16 players tied for the lead with four points, including second seed Paulo Bersamina, No. 3 Patrick Dulay, No. 5 Giovanni Mejia, Christian Nanola, Anne Osena and Mark Aberin.