St. Benilde thumps Letran, keeps lead in NCAA chess

MANILA, Philippines - St. Benilde downed defending champion Letran, 2.5-1.5, to continue to hold sway in the seniors division of the 86th NCAA chess tournament at the Cyberzone of the SM City Manila.

Nanquingden Reyes delivered the match-clinching win on board three after Joel Pimentel Jr., Jerson Bitoon and Nanquingel Reyes drew with Chester Brian Guerrero, Ivan Gil Biag and Jesus Alfonso Datu on boards one, two and four, respectively.

San Sebastian smashed Arellano U, 4-0, to move 2.5 points off the pace while Letran was at distant third with 27 points.

In juniors’ action, reigning titlist San Sebastian and La Salle-Greenhills fought Arellano U and Letran to 2-2 standoffs to remain at joint first.

Marcus Ray Coronel and Paulo Cristobal delivered the wins on the top two boards while the Junior Chiefs drew victories from Carlo Caranyagan and Jay Gutierrez on the lower boards.

Jan Nigel Galan and Giovanni Mejia provided the points for the Junior Blazers with wins on boards one and two while the Squires forced the deadlock on triumphs by Christian Cabida and Christian Drapete on board three and four.

San Sebastian and CSB now have identical scores of 29 points while Arellano U and Letran still remained within striking distance with 27.5 and 26.5 points, respectively.