NAGCC Grand Finals unfurls today
CEBU, Philippines - The country's 'best of the best' young guns in chess numbering to close to 200 will slug it out for supremacy as the 2017 National Age-Group Chess Championships (NAGCC) Grand Finals gets underway today at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu atrium.
Leading the elite cast of contenders are International Master Paulo Bersamina and National Master John Merill Jacutina in the boys 20-under category and Women FIDE Masters Shania Mae Mendoza and Marie Antoinette San Diego in the distaff side.
Also to watch out for are WFM Jia Allaney Doroy in the girls 18-under and Cebu's homegrown talent Candidate Master Jerish John Velarde in the boys 12-under.
Aside from Velarde, Cebu's other bets in the seven-day tournament following a round robin format are Jethro Esplanada, Allan Pason, Keith Claire Carlisle Morala and Quennie Marie Cablao in the 20-under, Edsel Vosotros, Adrian Basil Basilgo, Christine Lyka Pondoyo and Rhona Beth Cabrillas in the 18-under and Jeremy Tanudra, Romeo Jared Rollan, Glybel Jane Quiñanola and Gesit Marie Tayot in 16-under.
They will be joined by Jave Mareck Peteros, Clark Jendri Endrina, Marian Calimbo and Angel Naureen Bagano in 14-under, John Lester Belano, Jesusito Tatoy Jr., Nicole Mangubat, and Krisen Yochabel Marie Sanchez in 12-under, Dwayne Vin Abella, Luke Simon Lozada, Gabrielle Detuya and Althea Monique Bagano in 10-under, and Zachary Uriel Donceras, Jeo Daniel Tatoy, Iyael Psalm Pagala and Loisse Antonette Lozada in U8-under.
The participants will play a total of 13 rounds, with the top three finishers in all age-groups set to represent the Philippines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Chess Championships later this year in Vietnam.
Before the games, a simple opening ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. Among the luminaries invited to grace the affair are Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman and President Cong. Prospero 'Butch' Pichay Jr., Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman Ed Hayco and Cebu Provincial Sports Commission Executive Director Atty. Ramil Abing.
NCFP Provincial Coordinator Engr. Edilberto Velarde, Jr. will formally declare the tournament open. (FREEMAN)
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