PH team confident of chances at Asean chess tilt in Thailand

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---READY and confident.

That’s how members of the Philippine age-group team, headed by newest Woman International Master (WIM) elect Janelle Mae Frayna, described themselves on the eve of 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 gets underway from June 5 to 14 at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiangmai, Thailand.

“I will do my very best for flag and country,” said the Far Eastern University sophomore Psychology student who just completed her Woman International Master (WIM) title status.

" I hope to earn some ELO rating points," added the Legaspi City, Albay native Frayna who earned her two (2) WIM norms in last year's World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and another two (2) WIM norms in the just ended $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

According to Asian Chess Federation (ACF) deputy vice president Casto "Toti Abundo" said Frayna will need to improve her current ELO rating of 2050 to 2200 this year to become a full-fledged Woman International Master (WIM).

Joining Frayna in the Girls 20 and under bracket are Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila and 12-year-old Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite, who also got her first two WIM title results/norms in the $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship.

“Most of our players are in good shape right now. They are all well-prepared and better-trained,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Executive Director and former Olympian GM Jayson Gonzales who spearheaded Philippine Team courtesy call to NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. on Tuesday at the Juan Republik Foods Inc. in Pateros.

"There are tournaments in Standard, Rapid and Blitz chess, all eligible for FIDE ratings in 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 in in Chiangmai, Thailand. In addition, titles will be awarded as in the Olympiads, with IM and WIM titles possible in the under 20′s division." said NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.  who is grateful to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for undying support to the Philippine Chess. 

Pichay said the players earned the right to represent the country following their strong showing in this year's nationwide search Philippine Age Group Chess Championships. The Philippine age-group chess team left the country yesterday via Thai Airways bound for Chiangmai, Thailand.

In the Girls 16 and under bracket are Shania Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Ynna Sopia Canape of Marikina and Ella Grace Moulic of Davao City. Other member of the Philippine age-group chess team backed up by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) are Samantha Glo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan, May Ann Alcantara of Calumpit, Bulacan and Alexis Anne Osena of Quezon province for Girls 14 and under bracket; Allaney Jia G Doroy of Agusan del Norte, Natori Biazza Diaz of Sagay City, Negros and Bea Mendoza of Baguio City for Girls 12 and under bracket; Mae Ann Joy Baclayon and Mary Joy Tan of Misamis Oriental and Checy Aliena Telesforo of Iloilo City for Girls 10 and under bracket and Rhea Jane Canino of Cagayan de Oro City, Joannah Love MarieOlay of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato and Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite for Girls 8 and under bracket.

Meanwhile, 2013 PSC-POC Philippine National Games standard chess gold medallist International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan and National Master Alcon John Datu of Caloocan City are seeing action in the open 20-and-under; Fide Master Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City, IM candidate Jerad Docena of Bohol and NM Giovanni Mejia of Labrador, Pangasinan will compete in the open under-16; Daryl Unix Samantila of Tonsuya, Malabon, Carl Terrence Valdellon of Pasig City, John Marvin Miciano of Davao City and John Merill Jacutina of Caloocan City will show their talent in the open under-14; Stephen Rome Pangilinan of Bulacan, Julius Gonzales of Marikina and Istraelito Rilloraza of of Las Piñas City are seeing action in the open 12-and-under.

Also including John Ruiz Bravo of Pangasinan, Ronald Canino of Cagayan de Oro City, Daniel Quizon of Taytay, Rizal and Adrian de Luna of Guimaras province for the open 10-and-under and Jerish John Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Michael Concio Jr. of Los Banos, Alekhine Nouri of Escalante City, Negros Occidental and Thailand based James Henry Calacday for the open 8-and-under bracket.