Florendo, 2 others pace Shell chess

MANILA, Philippines - Second seed Patrick Erle Florendo, No. 5 Kevin Mirano and 10th ranked Paul Robert Evangelista swept their first four games to share the lead halfway through the boys’ juniors division of the 19th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Southern Luzon leg at SM City Batangas in Batangas City over the weekend.

Florendo trounced John Pedrasa, Jaeric Caballero, Eric Malayba and Carlo Castro; Mirano downed Edward Castor, Angelo Manansala II, Timothy So Kua and Christian Flores; while Evangelista disposed of Adriel Arengo, Ryan Evangelista, Philip Buhat and Ferdie Reyes Jr. as they led the 100-player field chasing the top two berths in the national finals with four points.

Earlier, Ronald Suarez, Sustainable Development manager of Pilipinas Shell, delivered the welcome remarks while Marieto Sevilla, executive assistant of the Governor’s office, and Joan Kho, Shell Refinery Safety manager, made the ceremonial moves.