Lagula, Marcellana best in summer youth tilts

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed McDominique Lagula scored 6 1/2 points to capture the high school division crown while Mark James Marcellana pulled off a surprise win in the elementary side of the Alphaland summer youth rapid chess tournament at the Alphaland Southgate Mall at EDSA cor. Chino Roces Ave., Makati City recently.

Lagula, playing out of FEU, dominated his rivals and lived up to the hype in the seven-round Swiss system tournament to cop top honors in the premier class of the event sponsored by top real estate company Alphaland.

Arellano U’s Carlo Caranyagan pooled six points then nipped Paul Robert Evangelista, also of FEU and Kevin Arquero in the tiebreak to clinch the runner-up honors in the tournament that drew 175 participants, including some of the country’s leading and rising junior players.

Marcellana, ranked 25th in a field of 89, bested the tough field in the elementary division as the Sta. Rosa, Laguna-based find finished with 6 1/2 points to emerge solo winner. Ateneo’s Jett Adams wound up with six points then edged Kushagra Sharma of International School-Manila, and Laguna’s Jasper Marce in the tiebreak to claim second place.

The winners received trophies, digital clocks and cash prizes. On hand during the awards rites were Marvie Paule, Alphaland Southgame marketing manager, and marketing officer MeAnn Unay.