Docena, Fronda Top National Juniors Chess Championships

by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings:

(Boys Division, Nine-round Swiss-system)

6.5 points---NM Jerad Docena

6.0 points---Mc Dominique Lagula, Jose Carlo Castro

5.5 points---FM Haridas Pascua, NM Alcon John Datu, NM Narquinden Reyes, Paul Robert Evangelista, Daryl Unix Samantila

4.5 points---Lennon Hart Salgados

3.5 points---CM Marc Christian Nazario

3.0 points--John Merill Jacutina

2.5 points---Tristan Jared Cervero

1.5 points---Romeo Canino

(Girls Division, Seven-round Swiss-system)

6.0 points---WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, WNM Janelle Mae Frayna

4.0 points---Shania Mae Mendoza, WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego, Venice Vicente

3.0 points---Jemima Valdez, Jesca Docena, Enrica Villa, Jerlyn Mae San Diego

2.5 points---Shaira Mae Aquino, Stella Theresa Aquino

National Master Jerad Docena and Woman National Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda dominated their respective divisions of the 2013 National Juniors Grand Finals boys and girls chess championships at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Hall inside  Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila on Thursday.

The 15-year-old Docena, a fourth year high school student of Wesleyan College of Manila from Tagubaas, Antequera Bohol, settled for a fighting draw in the last round with top seed Fide Master Haridas Pascua of Mangatarem, Pangasinan to finished with 6.5 points and claim the title of the boys division of the tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), through the undertaking of Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares and  DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

" My sacrifices has been paid off," said Docena, who finish 25th overall place and best under 16 player in the just ended 10th IGB Dato Arthur Tan International Open Chess Championship 2013 last week being held at the five-star Mid Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Crispin Docena, father of Jerad, said local and international tournament of his son would not be possible because of the undying support of Juan Republik Foods Inc., Spare and Strike Restaurant and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

"Sasamantalahin ko na po ang pagkakataon para makapagpa-abot ng pasasalamat sa  Juan Republik Foods Inc., Spare and Strike Restaurant at Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. na tumutulong sa local at international tournament ng anak kong si Jerad." said Crispin.

Fronda, on the other hand, finished in a two-way tie for first place with fellow six pointers WNM Janelle Mae Frayna, however, took the title due to higher tie break points.

Fronda subdued Shania Mae Mendoza of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna in the final canto while Frayna beat Jesca Docena of Tagubaas, Antequera Bohol.

Meanwhile, NCFP Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is well praised of the tournament location. A place that is well suited to the game of chess. He also thanked the friendly people of the Philippine Sports Commission. "We hope the Philippine Sports Commission under the leadership of chairman Ricardo Garcia will continue to support our chess undertaking by providing us this wonderful-class venue" he said, referring to the air-conditioned Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Hall.

Master of Ceremony is NCFP deputy secretary-general/treasurer Red Dumuk while chief arbiter is IA Gene Poliarco.

NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales on his part announced that Jerad and Jan Jodilyn may join super grandmaster Wesley So as the representative of the Philippines in the upcoming World Junior U20 Chess Championships 2013 on September 12 to 27 in Hatay, Turkey.

Prior to the awarding ceremony, officials, players, parents and coaches also observed a moment of silence and prayer for Asia's First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, who passed away last Wednesday.