Bacojo, Danday top NCFP youth tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Mark Jay Bacojo and Jayson Danday swept their respective divisions to lead the boys’ winners of the National Age-Group Chess Championships Luzon leg at the City of Isabela Community Center last Sunday.

The top-seeded Bacojo of La Immaculada Concepcion School posted a perfect six-point output in the under 10 to match the feat of Danday of Nazareth School of National University in the under- 16 section.

Other winners were Daniel Quizon of San Juan Elementary School (under 12), Far Eastern University’s Istraelito Rilloraza (under 14), Arellano University’s Carlo Caranyagan (under 18) and National University’s Vince Angelo Medina (under 20).

Quizon notched 5.5 points to edge Juuwon Grande (5.0) , Rilloraza 5.0, Caranyagan 5.0 to nip Coelleir (4.5), and Medina 5.5 to beat female bet Shania Mae Mendoza and Frederick Patubo with 4.0 each.

Girls division action saw FEU’s Jenima Valdez top the under 18 with 5.0 points; Lipa City’s Alexis Anne Osena rule the under 16 with 4.5 points; and UE Manila’s Kylen Jay Mordido prevail in the 14 under with 5.0 points.

Other top finishers were Jerlyn Mae San Diego with 4.0 points in the under 10, Janeya Carbonell with 5.5 points in the under 12. Daren Dela Cruz, Mecel Angela Gadut and Candace Faye Caalim figured in a three-way tie for first place with 3.0 points each in the under 8.

They will advance to the National Age-Group Chess Championships Grand Finals to be held in Las Pinas City on April 14 to 21 along with the next three placers in their respective categories.

The Luzon leg was hosted and supported by the City of Isabela, through Mayor Jay Diaz, and Cong. Robito Albano of Isabela.

The island-hopping tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Prospero Pichay will proceed to Kidapawan City from March 12 to 15. It is a project of NGFP committee chairman for Grassroots Development and Promotions Rep. Neri Colmenares.

NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales is serving as tournament director with Elias Lao as Chief Arbiter.