Frayna, Pimentel keep lead in Spartan Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Championship

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---Woman International Master (WIM) elect Janelle Mae Frayna of Far Eastern University (FEU) Team A and International Master Joel Pimentel of Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A continue their impressive showing in the on-going Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship being held at the Library and Media Room of Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila.

Frayna, who hails from Legaspi City, Albay defeated Eunice Joy Whigan of Adamson University in the sixth round then split the point with Lucelle Bermundo of National University in the seventh round to remained on top in the Individual category of Women's Division. Frayna now has 6.0 points on five wins and two draws after seven games of play. She also help Far Eastern University (FEU) Team A to grabs the lead in the Team competition with a total output of 18.5 points. The other members of the Lady Tamaraws are Enrica Villa (5.0 points), Nikki Erica Yngayo (4.5 points) and Glady's Hazel Romero (3.0 points).

After losing to Frayna in the fifth round, Woman National Master (WNM) Christy Lamiel Bernales of University of the Philippines bounced back in contention after a settling a truce with Bermundo in the sixth round and a crucial win over Quinna Louise Soler of National University in the seventh round.

Bernales raise her total 5.0 points, the same output of Whigan and Villa. The Lady Fighting Maroons of coach Fide Master (FM) and Fide chess trainer Leonardo Carlos and Woman International Master (WIM) Catherine Perena accumulated 17.0 points. Also with 17.0 points is The Lady Falcons of coach candidate master Christopher Rodriguez.

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).

According to International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, the format calls the combined total score of the top four players of each team, four to count shall constitute the final team standings using the grandprix system. Tournament director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.

In the men's play, International Master Joel Pimentel of Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A beat Adrian Perez of San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the sixth round and Kevin Arquero of Adamson University in the seventh round. The Bacolod City native Pimentel notch 6.0 points on five wins and two draws after seven games of play. Mark Kevin Labog of Adamson University at solo second place with 5.5 points. 

In the over-all Team Standings in the men's action, National University of coach candidate master Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr. still on top with 18.5 points, followed by Adamson University and Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A of coach engr'. Chris Cunanan, both tallied 17.5 points. At 4th place is San Sebastian College-Recoletos of coach National Master Homer Cunanan with 16.5 points followed by 5th place Arellano University of coach National Master Rudy Ibanez with 16.0 points.