ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ – Dasmariñas City Mayor Elpidio Barzaga’s wards exhibited the yields of a sustained grassroots development program when they romped off with five of 14 gold medals at stake in the National Age Group Chess Championships at the Hall of Governors here Saturday.
Daniel Quizon and Kylen Joy Mordido, both five-gold and a silver winner in last year’s ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships (AAGCC), dominated the U20 boys and girls categories, respectively.
Jerlyn Mae San Diego who swept all six gold medals in the AAGCC U14 en route to bagging a Philippine Sportswriters Association award ruled the U14 girls while Mark Jay Bacojo the U12 boys.
Daren del la Cruz avenged her loss to Ruelle Canino in the AAGCC to emerge as champion in the U10 girls.
Al-Basher Buto, Cainta, Rizal’s boy wonder, stole the thunder from the older champions by registering the only perfect score (in U8) in the event sponsored by Province of Capiz under Gov. Antonio del Rosario and Philippine Sports Commission and organized by National Chess Confederation of the Philippines.
Aeron Keife Sinining (Escalante,Negros Occidental) and Vic Glysen Derotas (Cebu), U18; Cyril Felrod Telesforo (Ilioilo City) and Jarel Renz Lacambra (Manila), U16; Jasper Faeldonia (Manila), U14B); and Queen Rose Pamplona (Passi, Iloilo), U12G; Cyrus James Damiray (Tanza, Cavite) & Maria Teresa Lumangcas (Cagayan de Oro), U10 topped their respective divisions.
Suzanne Ignacio, Executive Assistant to Capiz Gov. del Rosario, Carmen Andrade, Capiz Sports Consultant, and Red Dumuk awarded the prizes to the winners.
The second and third placers included, boys: U20-Nelson Busa, Jr. (2nd) and Jeth Romy Morado (3rd); U18- Ernesto Cañete and Charles John Fiel; U16- Harvey Labanda and Ronald Canino;U14- MichaelConcio, Jr. and Clyde Harris Saraos; U12-David Rey Ancheta and Allan Gabriel Hilario; U10- Gladimir Chester Romero and Clint Calvin Atoc; U8- Ruslan Pamplona and Vaughn Robert Oberio; girls: U20- Viona Nepascua and Jearaine Chato; U18- Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem and Natori Biazza Diaz; U16- Mary Joy Tan and Krezyl Jane Ibañez; U14- Checy Aliena Telesforo and Lorebina Carrasco II; U12- Aliyah Rae Lumangtad and Franchesca Largo; U10- Canino and Muelene Babao; U8- LJ Getubig and Jean Antonette Brade. The podium finishers earned slots in the Team Philippines that will defend its throne in the 19th AAGCC slated in Davao City on June 18-28. National Pool members who are titled age groupers will beef up the country’s crew.