Quizon leads young Pinoy woodpushers' strong start in ASEAN tiff

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino woodpushers headed by Daniel Quizon showed they are the best in the region as they continue to dominate in the first few rounds of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Championship in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Monday night.

The top seeded, 13-year-old Quizon waylaid Malaysians Muhd Haziq Izzuddi Zakiyuddin and Muhd Ilhan Mansiz Hairul to gain a four-way tie at the helm. Countryman Justine Diego Mordido and Malaysians Muhd Faqih Aminuddin and See Siang Fergus Lim joined Quizon with two points apiece in the boys’ 14-Under class.

Quizon, who is seeking to become a Grandmaster someday like idols Eugene Torre and reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen, shoots for the lead as he tackles Aminuddin in the third round as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Kylen Joy Mordido and Bea Mendoza turned back Ho Chen Ee and Nurhanis Afifah Zaba of Malaysia, respectively, to zoom to the top alongside Indonesian Woman FIDE Master Christine Elisabeth with two points each in the girls’ U14

Fancied Michael Concio, Jr. and Mark Jay Bacojo also remained unscathed to lead the way in the boys’ U12 with Malaysians Rodzi Muhd Raziq Mohd and Ahmad Adam Mukhriz and Indonesian Nayaka Budhidharma with two points apiece.

Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Samatha Umayan, Jerlyn Mae San Diego and Krisen Yochabel Marie Sanchez crowd the seven-player lead pack in the girls’ U12 on two points while Karlycris Calrito, Jr., Cedric Kahliel Abris and Jayson Jacobo Tuburcio crowd the seven-player pace group on two points in the boys’ U10.

Rochelle Carino trounced Frida Nadine Fellicia of Indonesia to claim the solo lead in the girls’ U10 with three points while Al Basher Buto joined Malaysia’s Lai Hong Lin and Kaun Mohd on top in the boys’ U8 with three points.

In the girls’ U8, Mecel Angela Gadut, Lalaine Kaye Regidor and Jirah Cutiyog shared the lead with Malaysia’s Afiqah Zahra Salinun in the girls’ U8 with 2.5 points.