Frayna Anchors FEU Chess Romp

by Marlon Bernardino

Woman International Master (WIM) elect Janelle Mae Frayna anchoring the Far Eastern University (FEU) Team A triumphant finish in the conclusion of Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship at the Library and Media Room of Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila on Wednesday.

Backed up by FEU team owner Anton Montinola and Athletic Director Mark Oliver Molina, the Tamaraws amassed 24 points to grab the first prize worth P20,000 plus trophy, plus gold medals.

The straight nine Round Swiss-System tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., hosted by President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and NCFP Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Frayna, who hails from Legaspi City topped the individual women's event with unbeaten 8.0 points record on account of seven wins and two draws in nine outings to enroute P5,000 plus trophy. Enrica Villa chipped in 6.0 points, followed by Nikki Erica Yngayo and Gladys Hazel Romero, both tallied 5.0 points apiece.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami kina Sir Anton Montinola (FEU team owner) at Sir Mark Oliver Molina (Athletic Director) sa full support nila sa FEU chess team,"said Frayna, who is set to play in the upcoming Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) from June 29 to July 6 in Incheon, Korea.

FEU enhance its reputation as a breeding ground of future chess masters who already produced three (3) grandmasters (Bong Villamayor, Nelson Mariano and Jayson Gonzales), and International Master (Yves Ranola) who also play for the Philippine Team  for the World Chess Olympiad, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games and Asian Indoor Games and other International chess competition.

“The success of FEU players in chess competitions only shows that a solid program can take you to the top,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. “That’s what we’re trying to establish, a solid program that aims to develop our young players.”

The University of the Philippines coaches by Fide Master/Fide trainer Leonardo Carlos and Woman International Master Catherine Perena, spearheaded by Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales, Joanna Vanessa Barbosa, Roxanne Atayde, Arvie Lozano and Ruth Aubrey de Guzman collected 21.5 points to grab the second prize of P15,000 plus trophy, plus silver medals, Adamson University team of coach Christopher Rodriguez led by Eunice Joy Whigan, Mariel Batulan, Crissa Canada, Jon Ira Dela Cruz and Eloisa Sta. Rita piled up 21.0 points to settle for the third place honor worth P8,000, plus trophy, plus bronze medals while the National University of coach Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr. with Jean Karen Enriquez, Lucelle Bermundo, Queenie Lyn Reyes, Quinna Louise Soler and Hiezel Coraje  at the helm accumulated 19.5 points for fourth place finish and pocketed P7,000 cash purse .

No less than NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Asia’s First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and International Arbiter Gene Poliarco have presided in giving the awards to the winners during the closing rites.