Docena Posts Back-to-Back Wins, Nears Malolos Chess Title

MALOLOS CITY---THE Philippines brighest hope Jerad Docena secures back-to-back win to stay in title hunt in the on-going  Luzon leg of the 2013 National age-group chess championship here at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, Provincial Capitol Compound, Malolos City, Bulacan.

The 15-year-old Pasay City resident Docena, a habitue of Spare and Strike in Bangkal, Makati City defeated Lennon Heart Salgados of Cagayan de Oro City in the fourth then subdued Marc Christian Nazario of Quezon City in the fifth round to remain on top with 5.0 points in five outings in the Boys under 20 categories.

"Mahirap y'ung laro ko po kina Lennon Heart (Salgados) at Marc Christian (Nazario), parehong pinilit kong manalo. Buti na lamang matatag ako sa bandang huli," said Docena, whose local and international competition supported by  National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and sportsman Daniel "Daddy Boy" Francisco of Bangkal, Makati City. 

Docena, who hails from Antequera, Bohol will meet Paul Robert Evangelista of Bolinao, Pangasinan in the sixth round. Evangelista, top player of Far Eastern University, the reigning UAAP Junior champion occupied solo second spot with 4.0 points. He beat Jan Francis Mirano of Aklan in the fourth and Christian Nanola of San Pablo City, Laguna in the fifth round.

Also with perfect five markers in their respective categories are Dennis Gutierrez Jr. (Malolos City, Bulacan and San Fabian,  Pangasinan); Daniel Quizon (CDO) and  Jerish John Velarde (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu).

Gutierrez Jr. nipped Francis Roi Parro and Juan Miguel del Prado in the Boys Under-12, Quizon waylaid Marco Alas Ragadio and Jose Marie Dagasdas in the Boys Under-10 and Velarde subdued John Michael Castillo and Anthony Feliciano in the Boys Under-8.

Meanwhile, Heirry Manaloto of Paniqui, Tarlac toppled John Christopher Inoncillo of National Capital Region in the fourth then held into a draw with Hans Christian Balingit of Angeles City, Pampanga in the fifth round to still on top in the Boys under 16 with 4.5 points, half point ahead over Balingit and Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar of Malabon City, whom he beat in the third round.

Daryl Unix Samantila of Malabon City is also lording the Boys Under-14 brackets with 4.5 points. He bested  Jhoemar Mendiogarin and John Marvin Miciano, in order.

Organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and sponsored by Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel thru the initiative of NCFP Committee Chairman for Grassroots Development and Promotions Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, the Luzon age-group chess event is a qualifying tournament to select the country's representative in the ASEAN Age-group plus in Bangkok, Thailand in June. Tournament Director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales while IA Gene Poliarco is the Chief Arbiter.

Showing the way in the distaff side are Mikee Charlene Suede of Makati City and Rowelyn Joy Acedo of Davao City, both tallied 4.5 points in the Girls Under-20, Shanie Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna who notch 4.5 points in the Girls Under-16, Alexis Anne Osena of Muntinlupa City who scored 5.0 points in the Girls Under-14, Jesca Docena of Antequera, Bohol, 5.0 points output in the Girls Under-12, Jessiel Marino of San Pedo, Laguna, 3.0 points in three games in Girls Under-10 and Jerlyn Mae Sandiego of Dasmarinas, Cavite, 4.0 points in five games in Girls Under-8.    -Marlon Bernardino-