A three-way title battle loomed among Samantha Umayan, Franchesca Largo and top seed Jerlyn Mae San Diego after the three hurdled their respective foes to share the lead after the sixth and penultimate round on Sunday of the Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino National Age Group Chess Championships in Tagaytay City.
Umayan bested Rhea Jean Canino, Largo trounced Kyla Deloso Dalagan and San Diego waylaid Marielle Agne Juzeia to share the lead in the girls’ Under-18 section with five points apiece going into the final round.
Umayan, Largo and San Diego were all eyeing to beat Dalagan, Cyhrea Ruth Atog and Sheila Mer Donoga, respectively, and hope one of them emerge with the highest tiebreak score to claim the crown in this event bankrolled by Tolentino, a Cavite vice governor and National Chess of the Philippines vice president.
The same logjam also happened in the premier open U18 class as Christian Gian Carlo Arca, Cyrus Vladimir Francisco and Del Emerson dela Cruz were bunched on top with five points each.
Francisco and Arca split the point, while Dela Cruz sent Jeremy Marticio back to earth to bolster their respective title chances in the meet backed by the PSC, NCFP and POC president Abraham Tolentino.
Dela Cruz and Francisco clash in the last round, while Arca tangle with Jerish John Velarde.
In the open U16, John Cyrus Borce bested Oscar Joseph Cantela to stay at the helm with 5.5 points while Jersey Marticio pushed back Maryss Annxeniel Caldoza to seize the solo lead with five points in the girls’ U16.
Other category leaders were Kaye Lalaine Regidor (girls’ U14), Zhaoyu Capilitan (girls U12), Mary Janelle Tan (girls U10), Keith Adriane Ilar (open U14), Phil Martin Casiguran (open U12) and the troika of Caleb Royce Garcia, Zeus Lester Manaois and Steve Zacky Bolico (open U10).