Docena crushes Datu, paces Nat’l jrs chess

MANILA, Philippines - Jerad Docena trounced fellow National Master Alcon John Datu to grab the lead in the penultimate round of the National Juniors boys and girls chess championships at the PSC Conference Hall inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila yesterday.

The win hiked Docena’s total to six points as he took a half-point lead over Jose Carlo Castro heading to the final round of the nine-round tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phils.

Castro, who lost to Docena in the seventh round, bounced back into contention with a victory over Tristan Jared Cervero for 5.5 points.

Top seed FM Haridas Pascua, NM Narquinden Reyes and McDominique Lagula stood one point behind Docena with identical five points.

Pascua subdued CM Marc Christian Nazario while Reyes crushed Lagula.

Docena takes on Pascua in the final round while Reyes faces Castro and Cervero tangles with Lagula.

In girls play, Woman NM Janelle Mae Frayna beat Stella Theresa Aquino while WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda edged Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego to share the lead with five points.