Baltazar paces FGC in MYG chess

Drowned by strong competition in other fronts, F. G. Calderon made its move in chess with a triple gold medal effort yesterday in the fifth Manila Youth Games at the Harisson Plaza Activity Center.

Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar posted a perfect score of five points to rule both the 10-and-under unisex and boys divisions to hand the Tondo-based school a pair of gold medals.

F.G. Calderon’s other golden effort came from Aime Dumagpi, who reigned supreme in the 17-and-under section of this weeklong meet sponsored by Converse and backed by the PSC, Pagcor, SMC, Super Ferry, Montana Pawnshop, Globe, Milo, Air21, IntraSports and Concept Movers.

Adamson, Jose Abad Santos High and District 5 snared two gold medals each.

John Maurice delos Santos came through with the two-gold haul for Adamson with wins in the 17-and-under unisex and boys sections while Gerard Alvin Blanco was Jose Abad Santos’ golden source with triumphs in the 15-and-under class.

District 5 drew a double-gold performance from Junail Mangcol with wins in the unisex and boys events for 12 years old and under.

Agatha Lei Romero of District 4 (12-and-under) and Given Grace Mateo of District 1 (15-and-under) copped two of the 11 gold medals staked in chess, which is now part of the Southeast Asian and Asian Games calendar.

In centerpiece athletics, Elyssa Marie Paez snared the javelin gold for 13-15 years old over a distance of 14.09 meters, beating Liezel Talenjale of M. Roxas (9.29) and Ma. Gizela Bacanaya of Baseco (8.83). Randolph Hernandez of Letran, Michelle Chan and Ramon Agting also struck for gold in javelin in their respective divisions.

In baseball action, Villegas swept all its three matches to rule the high school division while Smokey Mountain A won five of its six outings to rule the elementary section.

Smokey Mountain also snatched a pair of silver medals in both the high school and elementary categories with J. Nolasco and G.V. Lim clinching a bronze medal apiece.

The boys’ 12-and-under, 15-and-under and 17-and-under gold medals in volleyball went to Sta. Ana Elementary School, District 3 and St. Joseph School, respectively, while Dr. Albert (12-and-under), District 6 (15-and-under) and District 4-B (17-and-under) took the rest.