Velarde pulls off chess sweep in B Pinoy Visayas regionals

DUMAGUETE  , Philippines  —  Lapu-Lapu City’s Jerish Velarde swept his three events in chess even as Cebu City closed in on the overall championship in the final day of the Batang Pinoy Games Visayas regional championships here yesterday.

After sweeping the blitz and rapid events via perfect scores (seven), respectively, Velarde sustained his form, winning his third gold in the 12-year-old and under standard chess competition where he finished with six points on five wins and two draws at the close of the tournament at the Gov. Mariano Perdices Stadium indoor hall.

Cebu City’s Jave Peteros scored six points in topping the 15-under standard event while Alpheca Gonzales tallied 5-1/2 points to top the girls 15-under mint in the sportsfest organized and sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Cebu City also picked up another chess gold through Edelyn Vosotros, who scored 5-1/2 points to top the girls 12-under standard in the meet backed by the Dumaguete City government led by Mayor Felipe Remollo.

“I’m happy to win three golds but I didn’t expect this,” said Velarde, 11, a Grade 5 student at Maria Ernestine School.

Cebu Province got back at Mandaue City, 64-58, in securing the boys basketball crown while Cebu City subdued Cebu Province, 56-48, to nail the girls’ title at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.

Sports commissioner Ramon Fernandez awarded the gold medals to the winners.

“We executed our game plan well, especially on defense by pressing our opponents,” said Cebu Province boys head coach Donbel Belano, referring to the win that avenged their 59-63 setback to Mandaue in the eliminations.

With a handful of sports left, Cebu City took the lead in the overall medal tally with 45 gold, 56 silver and 66 bronze medals with host Dumaguete at second (41-27-27) and Cebu Province running third (35-36-43).