Faves pace Shell Batangas chess

MANILA, Philippines - Fancied Jerad Docena and Jan Nigel Galan swept their first five games to share the boys’ juniors division lead while three posted four points in the girls’ side of the 2012 Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Southern Luzon Batangas leg at SM City Batangas Event Center in Batangas City last Saturday.

The top-seeded Docena, of Wesleyan College, trounced Jessther Leano, Ernel Aguilar, John Zacarias, Nezil Merilles and Jerome Villanueva while No. 2 Galan downed Jason Baral, Anfernee Bonifacio, Daniel Sanchez, Marc Reyes and Davemar Prado to set up a fifth round duel for the solo lead.

Jose Castro and Merilles pooled 4 1/2 points while 13 others scored four points to stay in the hunt for the crown in the nine-round Swiss system tournament and berths in the national finals of the annual event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phils.

Earlier, Jackie Ampil, Pilipinas Shell Social Investment manager, and Batangas City administrator Philip Baroja made the ceremonial moves to mark the start of the two-day tournament also graced by Joan Kho, Pilipinas Shell Tabangao Health Safety Security Environment manager and Pilipinas Shell media relations manager Toby Nebrida.

Third seed Arvie Lozano of UP and Adamson’s Eloisa Sta. Rita and Mariel Batulan won their first four matches to show the way in the distaff side offering a lone berth in the grand finals set in September at SM Megamall.

Lozano beat Claudine Casidsid, Jellika Amores, Michelle Yaon and Gladys Romero while No. 13 Sta. Rita disposed of Ferlene Diamcon, Regie Gliponeo, Elena Oliveros and Arleanne Romantico.