Derotas, Balbona shine in Shell chessfest

CEBU, Philippines - NETWORKSPromising Cebuana chess players Vic Glysen Derotas and Jessa Marie Balbona shone the brightest in the girls division of the 19th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships-Visayas leg at The Event Centre of SM City-Cebu.

NETWORKSDerotas ruled the juniors division, while Balbona topped the kiddies category to earn tickets into the national finals set on October 8-9 at SM Megamall.

NETWORKSDerotas posted 6.5 points followed by Keith Claire Morala with 6.0 points. Completing the top five finishers were Armi Venice Lumapac, Earl Eulette Martinez and Sharon Princess Pacres.

NETWORKSBalbona, on the other hand, was tied with Mary Israel Palero with identical 6.0 points, but took home the champion's trophy via superior tie-break output applying the Bucholz system. Ma. Olympia Harveyjane Hilvano, Roxan Tampus and Sheila Khan Sepanton completed the top five.

NETWORKSIn the boys bracket, Alfer Joseph Fernandez and Allan Pason emerged victorious in the juniors and kiddies class, respectively.

NETWORKSFernandez finished with 7.0 points in a tie with Michael Silvederio, but Fernandez got the higher tie-break points. Yves Christian Fiel placed third followed by King James Torres and Yuri Cauba.

NETWORKSPason dominated the kiddies division with 7.5 points followed by Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, Jethro Esplanada, Alson Vincent Lim and Gerard Joshua Gelera.

NETWORKSAside from Fernandez and Pason, Silvederio and Sevillano also qualified for the nationals since the top two in the boys category were given the chance to represent the region. – (FREEMAN)