Quizon, Mordido rule B Pinoy chess

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – Daniel Quizon and Kylen Joy Mordido of Dasmariñas, Cavite lived up to their top billing as they dominated blitz chess to claim their second gold medals in the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Championship at the DavNor Sports and Tourism Complex here yesterday.

Quizon, 12, won all his seven games to run away with the boys’ under-12 title while Mordido, 14, scored 6.5 points to capture the girls’ 13-17 diadem in a follow-up to their victories in the standard side Wednesday.

Quizon and Mordido are both gunning for their third gold as they led the big group of leaders after the third round of the seven-round rapid event.

Quizon’s easy romp in blitz came after he struggled in the standard event where he lost a match and needed to beat four others in a tiebreaker to snare the gold.

But he bounced back strong and blitzed the opposition in the next.

“I practice everyday because my dream is to become a grandmaster,” said Quizon, who looks up to Filipino GM Eugene Torre and reigning world champion GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

On the other hand, Mordido, a veteran internationalist who won gold medals in the ASEAN Youth, proved to be a cut above the rest after conceding just a draw in 14 games in standard and blitz.

“I just want to play and win,” said Mordido, a Grade 9 Dasmariñas National High school student who took up the sport on the prodding of his uncle and former Perpetual Help varsity player Eric Mordido.

Jerlyn Mae San Diego, also of Dasmariñas, topped the blitz girls’ 12-U with six points while Cebu City’s Chris Aldritz Pondoyo ruled the boys 13-17 side after edging North Cotabato’s John Marvin Miciano and Makati’s Jester Sistoza in the tiebreak.

Leyte, meanwhile, dominated wrestling with wins from Veronica Ompod (girls’ 40kg) and Rachel Claire Bais (girls’ 44kg), Andrea Rowella Abrea (girls’ 51kg), Marielle Jeanna Liwanag (58kg), Angela Alferez (62kg), Ronnel Nerzza (boys’ 35kg) and Francisco Arca (66kg).

Baguio City snatched a pair of golds at the mat behind Lemuel Dalgo (boys’ 53kg) and Anthonie John Tenollar (boys’ 73kg) while Davao City banked on victories by Chino Sy (boys’ 85kg) and Sydney Sy (girls’ 62kg).

Zamboanga City’s Marvi Rivera grabbed two mints in the arnis anyo event in the boys’ individual single weapon and individual sword and dagger events while Baguio also took two gold medals in the boys’ team double weapon and women’s team sword and dagger events.

Leyte also shone in judo with Roxan Erica Norte (girls’ -32kg) and Cresphian Caliguid (boys’ -42kg) snaring golds. Other winners were Muntinlupa’s Hannah Mira (-36kg), Marvin Adrian Guevarra (boys’ -46kg), Agatha Lucero (girls’ -63kg), Shaira Arabejo (girls’ +36kg) and Sydney Sy (girls’ +70kg).

Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships silver medalist Ma. Dessa delos Santos of Zamboanga City blew away the field by ruling the girls’ -58kg weight class after lifting 70 kilograms in the snatch and 85kg in the clean and jerk for a 155kg total.

Quezon City’s Eriel Cardano reigned supreme in the boys’ +58kg with a total lift of 123kgs while John Kevin Padullo of Manila carried a cumulative weight of 245kgs to pocket the boys’ +62kg gold.