MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U’s Sheider Nebato and Jerad Docena swept their first four matches in their respective divisions to lead 19 other players with perfect scores at the start of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships NCR leg at SM Megamall over the weekend.
Nebato, a mainstay of the FEU team in the UAAP, trounced Roland Albo, Neil Plan VII, Louise Soler and Mark Umali to join eight others in the lead with four points heading into the last four rounds in the 20-and-under division.
Matching Nebato’s four-game sweep are La Salle Greenhills’ Jan Nigel Galan, Kritz Albelar and Richelieu Salcedo of Rizal Tech. Univ., UST’s Jude Fronda, St. Benilde’s Mari Turqueza and Narquingden Reyes, San Sebastian’s Jayson Mercado and another FEU bet Antonio Chavez Jr.
Earlier, Roberto Kanapi, Pilipinas Shell vice president for communications and GM Jayson Gonzales made the ceremonial moves to kick off the two-day tournament also graced by Mich Cruz, government and media relations manager of Pilipinas Shell.
Nine other players stood just half-a-point behind with 3.5 points, headed by UP’s Willbert Pilarta and Christian Flores, while a host of others pooled three points, ensuring a tight finish for top honors in this event serving as the kickoff leg of an eighth-stage nationwide circuit sponsored by Pilipinas Shell.
Sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Shell Active Chess is backed by Shell V-Power, Shellane, Shell Helix, and McDonald’s, in partnership with SM Supermalls, Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, Central Philippine University Iloilo, University of San Carlos Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City Tourism.
Docena, on the other hand, bested Allain Durian, John Cruz, Jerome Lumacad and Paul Casiano, to tow 11 others with four points in the kiddies side of the event sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phils. and backed by Shell V-Power, Shellane, Shell Helix, and McDonald’s.