Frayna, Canino lift Philippines past Argentina

BUDAPEST – Janelle Mae Frayna and wonder girl Ruelle Canino pulled off impressive victories as the Philippines made Argentina weep with a shock 2.5-1.5 win that catapulted it to the top 15 after seven rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad.

Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster, downed Maria Jose Campos in 66 moves of an English Opening at board two while Canino stunned WGM Claudia Amura in 39 moves of yet another English duel at board four.

Jan Jodilyn Fronda dug her way out of a losing position and turned it into a winning one before missing her chances and settling for a 74-move draw of a razor-sharp Sicilian versus Anapaola Borda Rodas.

The country’s lone casualty was Shania Mae Mendoza, who blundered away her winning chances and succumbed to Candela Francisco Guecamburu in 46 moves of a London System at board one.

The result sent the Filipinas, bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by NCFP head Butch Pichay, to a 14-team logjam at No. 15 with 10 match points each.

In contrast, the Phl men’s team stumbled to Croatia, 3.5-.5, with GM Julio Catalino Sadorra providing the only light in a dark performance for the country with his 31-move draw with super GM Ante Brkic on board one.

The painful defeat sent the team skidding down to a share of No. 44 with eight points and will next tangle with South Africa where the former is expected to vent its ire on.

“Laban lang,” said Sadorra, a University of Texas in Dallas coach.