Abalos, Lagula top Shell chess elims

MANILA, Philippines – Univ. of Baguio’s Leonardo Abalos and Mc Dominique Lagula of FEU nipped their respective rivals in the tiebreak to capture the juniors and kiddies titles, respectively, in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Northern Luzon elims at the Paseo Reale’s function room in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan last Sunday.

The ninth-ranked Abalos, one of the eight players who swept the first three rounds in the 20-and-under division, won two and drew his last two matches with Jake Tumaliuan and Jan Galan to finish with six points in the seven-round Swiss system tournament.

Galan and Marfred Sanchez also wound up six points apiece but Abalos took the title with a superior tiebreak score.

Galan, from La Salle-Greenhills, and Sanchez, playing out of Cagayan State U, settled for second and third, respectively, and joined Abalos in the October grand finals of the event, sponsored by Pilipinas Shell under its Shell Active Chess program, which supports the empowerment of the youth as part of the company’s overall Sustainable Development commitment.

Lagula and fellow FEU bet Vince Medina swept the 14-and-under class with seven points but the latter won the crown on higher tiebreak score. The top-seeded Lagula trounced No. 4 Jon Bitamor and No. 5 Dave Dulay in the last two rounds while the third-ranked Medina toppled No. 6 Alder Jallorina and Dale Ancheta to match Lagula’s romp.