BERSAMINA STAYS IN TITLE HUNT IN RP JUNIOR CHESS IN DAVAO

RP whiz kid Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City held his ground against Giovanni Mejia of Taguig City, coming up with a draw in the seventh then subdued Emmanuel Eumir Songcuya of Mandaluyong in the eight and penultimate round and keeping his hopes alive in the 2010 National Juniors Chess Championship at the Gaisano Grand Citimall in Davao City yesterday.

The Meralco Chess Club prodigy Bersamina, an incoming freshman of Far Eastern University under the wings of GM Jayson Gonzales, the reigning RP 12 and under champion raise his total 6.5 points, the same output of Tagbilaran pride Michael Pagaran, who drew with Songcuya in the seventh then toppled RTU Mandaluyong standout Richilieu Salcedo in the eight round.

“Sana suwertehin po ako sa last round,” said Bersamina, who drew with Pagaran in the fifth and Salcedo in the sixth round.

Three players was tied at 3^rd to 5^th placers with 6 points each—Patrick Erle and Joey Albert Florendo of Zamboanga City and Jerwell Andoy of Davao City.

In the distaff side, Manila’s Woman National Master Aices Salvador defeated Davao’s Dhona Yngayo to score her seventh straight wins then halved the point with Mary Israel Palero of Davao City in the eight round to improved her total 7.5 points in eight outings of this NCFP president/ chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. supported nine round Swiss-system tournament.

2006 Doha Asian Games representative Jedara Docena toppled fellow Woman National Master Quezon City’s Christy Lamiel Bernales in the seventh then drew with Halia Sittie Sabado of CDO in the eight round for her 6.5 points.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO