Bermas, Literatus cop Shell Davao

MANILA, Philippines - UST’s Lemuel Bermas scored 2.5 points in the last three rounds, including an upset over top seed Joey Florendo in the fifth round, to capture the junior division crown of the 2009 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships-Mindanao leg at SM City Davao event center late Sunday.

The 14th-ranked Bermas, one of the four players backed by Tanauan City Mayor Sonia Torres-Aquino, won with the black pieces against Florendo then upended fifth seed Jerwell Andoy and drew with No. 6 Rodel Alsado in the last two rounds to emerge the solo champion with 6.5 points in the seven-round tournament for 20-years old and under.

Fourth seed Austin Literatus, meanwhile, downed Michael Varquez, Dhona Yngayo, John Amar and Alvin Acas in the last four rounds to pocket the crown in the nine-round kiddies play of the final leg of the seven-stage circuit sponsored by Pilipinas Shell and held under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Mich Cruz, government and media relations manager of Pilipinas Shell, Davao City Councilor Peter Laviña and Halila Sudagar, president of SK Federation, were on hand to award the prizes and medals to the top four finishers in each division of the two-day event.

Other awardees were Rowelyn Acedo of Jose Maria College (overall top female player-7.5 points), three-year-old Ma. Rynah Añabieza (youngest player), Eric Yngayo Jr. of Don Juan dela Cruz Elem. School (top 8-year-old, 6 points), Hannah Amoncio of Doña Pilar Learning Center (sportsmanship) and Barner Learning Center and Holy Cross of Davao College as schools most represented.