Monday, February 15, 2010

PALARONG NCR R1

RAMOS, MEJIA WINS OPENER IN NCR-PALARONG PAMBANSA CHESS
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

ALFONSO “Trio” Ramos and Giovanni “Gio” Mejia lived up to expectations by hurdling their respective rivals at the start of the National Capital Region (NCR) Palarong Pambansa Chess qualification tournament yesterday at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School, Quirino Avenue in Manila.

Ramos, a second year high school student of La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) defeated John Lawrence Principe of Isaac Lopez Integrated School after 16 moves of King’s Pawn Game using the black pieces to lead the march of the favorite in the seven round Swiss-system format in the High School boy’s divisions.

“Hope mahawakan ko ang momentum,” said Ramos, who helped the LSGH Chess Team into over-all championships’ trophy in the this year's PRADA and Xavier Inter-Scholastics Chess Team Tournament.

Justin Pe settled a draw with fellow Xavier mainstay Menin Ledesma after 21 moves of a Russian Game.

Mejia, meantime, the last year’s NCR Palarong Pambansa champion, edged fellow LSGH bet Rhal Sol Cruz Jr. after 26 moves of Sicilian defense using the black pieces to opened his title retention-bid in the Elementary boy’s divisions.

“Maganda ang nilaro ni Rhal, nagkamali lamang siya ng bandang huli, may draw pa sana,” said grade 7 pupil Mejia.

Other notable winners in the Elementary boy’s divisions that includes Jerad Docena of Pasay City, Melwyn Kenneth Baltazar of Manila and Homel Cunanan of Taguig City.

Marist Marikina top player Haince Patrick de Leon settled a draw over Mark Lao.

Sharing the limelight is Arvie Lozano who defeated fellow Rizal Technological University (RTU) ace Aira Infante after 33 moves of Caro-Kann defense using the black pieces in the High School girl’s divisions as well San Juan’s top player Maria Perla Datu prevailed over Jullien Franzen Mercado.

Shanice Dawn Cleofe of Pleasant Hills, on the other hand bested Maria Nina Vergara after 51 moves of King’s Pawn Game using the white pieces in the Elementary girl’s divisions.

The top two finishers (High School boy’s and girls, Elementary boy’s and girls) after the four-day qualifying tournament supervised by Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP) headed by it’s president Rey Colitoy and official Raul Cruz will represent the National Capital Region (NCR) in the 53rd edition of Palarong Pambansa slated on April 11 to 17 in Tarlac province.

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