Cristobal, Evangelista cop Shell Batangas chess plums

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian’s Kristian Paulo Cristobal and Paul Robert Evangelista turned in contrasting final round results to emerge solo champions in their respective divisions in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Southern Luzon leg at SM City Event Center in Batangas City last Sunday.

Cristobal, ranked 14th in a field of 226, built enough cushion from his upset victories over fifth seed Antonio Chavez Jr. and No. 4 Jayson Mercado in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively, and needed just a draw with sixth ranked Alfred Rapanot in the final round to capture the juniors crown with 7.5 points.

The top seeded Evangelista, on the other hand, settled for a draw with Carl Perez in the sixth round then swept his last three games against Karen Enriquez, Vincent Fuerte and Paul Fortin to finish on top of the nine-round kiddies division with 8.5 points.

Cristobal and Evangelista, along with the next two placers in their respective groups, thus advanced to the October grand finals of the event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell and backed by Shell V-Power, Shellane, Shell Helix, and McDonald’s.

Gracing the awards rites of the event, the third leg of the eight-stage nationwide circuit sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phils.,were Alex Merano, HR manager of Shell Tabangao Refinery, and Lito Castro, sports development officer of Batangas province.

Other awardees were Michelle Yaon of St. Simon Montessori (top female-kiddies), Gladys Romero of Mabini Junior College (top female-juniors), 5-year-old Leo Sandico of Brgy. San Cristobal Daycare Center, Calamba (youngest player), Arvin John Serban (top 8-year-old), Charmaine Casimina of La Salle-Lipa (sportsmanship) and Univ. of Batangas (most represented school).

Mercado stunned second seed and erstwhile co-leader Lennon Hart Salgados in the final round while Rapanot drew with Cristobal to finish with seven points for second and third places, respectively, in the 20-and-under division of the tournament held in partnership with SM Supermalls, Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, Central Philippine University Iloilo, University of San Carlos Cebu and Cagayan de Oro City Tourism.

Jeremiah Alfonso and Gladys Romero also wound up with seven points but lost the last two spots to Mercado and Rapanot. Felipe Magdalaga of Maximo Gatbalayan High won his last three matches, including a final round win over Fuerte to finish second in the 14-under class with eight points, nipping Christian Nanola of Laguna College of Business & Arts in the tiebreak.

Meanwhile, the fourth leg will be held July 31-Aug. 1 at SM City Naga Event Center for the Southern Luzon leg. Registration is on-going, For details, contact leg coordinators NM Glenn Artuz at 0918-5051825 or (054) 4750623 or Alex Dinoy at 0916-6882682/0921-3806902 or (02) 400-3248.