Datu and Nebato on top

Datu, Nebato show way in juniors chess
04/27/2009 03:36 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Alcon John Datu and Sheider Nebato settled for a fighting draw in the fifth round to keep a share of the lead with two others in the 2009 National Junior chess championship in Kalibo, Aklan.

Despite the draw, Datu and Nebato remained ahead of the field with four points, boosting their shots at the overall title and the right to represent the country in the World Junior chess championship in Argentina later this year.

Sharing top view with Datu and Nebato were Jerich Cajeras and Antonio Chavez, who also halved the point in their fifth-round encounter en route to four points.

Eight players, led by top seed NM Haridas Pascua and Mari Joseph Turqueza, shared fifth to 12th places with 3.5 points.

Pascua bounced back from his stunning fourth-round setback to Cajeras to subdue Jerad Docena, while Turqueza followed up a draw with Gerald Ferriol in the fourth round with a victory over Joey Albert Florendo to lead a big group of players with 3.5 points.

With similar 3.5 points were Paulo James Florendo, Kevin Mirano, Mark Gustillo, Jan Francis Mirano, Joel Pimentel Jr. and Jan Nigel Galan.

Florendo outplayed Bryll John Arellano, Kevin Mirano drew with Gustillo, Jan Francis Mirano halved the point with Nelson Mariano III, Pimentel overpowered Bulicatin and Galan bested Leo Daylo Jr.

Franz Robert Grafil drew with Earl John Zamora to lead five other players with three points.

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