Bersamina powers Letran over San Sebastian in NCAA jrs chess

MANILA, Philippines – Olympiad veteran Paulo Bersamina downed Joshua Marquez on top board to power Letran to a 3-1 bashing of San Sebastian in juniors action of the 90th NCAA chess competition at the Athletes' Dining Hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Friday.

It was the 16-year-old Bersamina's first game of the season since playing for the Philippine team that finished in the top 40 of the Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway last week.

He made sure he came out victorious.

Bersamina's heroics though could only carry the Squires to third place after six rounds with 19.5 points, trailing the La Salle Greenies and San Beda Cubs, who remained atop the heap with 20.5 and 20 points, respectively.

Lyceum, meanwhile, continued its impressive run as it smashed Emilio Aguinaldo, 4-0, to pace the seniors' section with 19 points after six rounds.

Jan Francis Mirano, Prince Mark Aquino, Jonathan Jota and John Jasper Laxamana provided the wins for the Pirates, who were three points ahead of the three-team pack of Arellano University, San Beda and St. Benilde with 16 points apiece.