Bersamina keeps Letran atop NCAA chess standings

MANILA, Philippines – Olympiad veteran International Master Paolo Bersamina posted his 10th straight victory to tow Letran to a 3-1 victory over San Sebastian that kept it at first place in the juniors division of the 90th NCAA chess tournament at the Athletes' Dining Hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Friday.

Bersamina, 16, now has a perfect 10 points after missing the Squires' first five games for being part of the Phl team that participated in the World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway a month ago.

After 15 rounds, Letran now has 49 points, just one point ahead of La Salle-Greenhills, which edged a stubborn Arellano University, 2.5-1.5, and five points clear of No. 3 San Beda, which, blanked Jose Rizal,  4-0.

In seniors' action, Prince Mark Aquino downed Viejay Porcalla on second board to save Lyceum a 2-2 draw with Emilio Aguinaldo College that likewise kept them atop the heap with 45 points.

Jan Francis Mino and John Jasper Lacsamana split the point with Angelo Esteban and Brylle Salcedo on first and fourth boards, respectively.

Macwaine Molina's triumph over Jonathan Jota on third board provided the Generals the lone win.

College of St. Benilde had a chance to close in on Lyceum with a win but ran into an ambush set up by Arellano University, which hammered out a surprising 3.5-.5.

Kyz Llantada, Carlo Caranyagan and Michael Penero delivered the points on boards one, two and four while Don Tyrone delos Santos halved the point with Prince Reyes on third board to complete to rout.

The loss kept the Blazers stranded at No. 2 with 42.5 points,  2.5 off the pace, while the Rudy Ibanez-mentored Chiefs stayed at No. 3 with 40 points.