Pondoyo, Polan lead monthly winners of McDo chessfest

CEBU, Philippines - Chris Aldritz Pondoyo and Reishi Boy Polan lead the first batch of monthly winners in the 1st McDonald's Jones Cup Chess Championships over the weekend at McDo-Jones branch.

Pondoyo outsmarted lady player Vic Glysen Derotas in the final round to snatch the 14-17 age group title via six-game sweep.

He will be joined into the grand finals this December by Adrian Basil Basilgo, Jeffu Dorog, Derotas and Laila Camel Nadera with 4.0 points each.

In the 13-under category, Polan topped the January edition with 4.0 points. He marched into the year-ending 'Battle of Champs' together with Raniel Jay Perandos, Jave Mareck Peteros, John Lester Belano and Angel Naureen Bagano.

Naureen Bagano and Glysen Derotas snared special awards for being the top female finishers.

Aside from trophies, the winners received cash prizes and gift certificates courtesy of McDo-Jones through its branch manager Benjamin Picson. The games were supervised by FIDE Arbiter Felix Poloyapoy, Jr.-— EBV  (FREEMAN)