A THREE-WAY title battle loomed among Samantha Umayan, Franchesca Largo and top seed Jerlyn Mae San Diego after hurdling their respective foes to share the lead after the sixth and penultimate round yesterday of the Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino National Age Group Chess Championships in Tagaytay City.
Umayan bested Rhea Jean Canino, Largo trounced Kyla Deloso Dalagan, and San Diego waylaid Marielle Agne Juzeia to share the lead in the girls’ Under-18 section with five points apiece going into the final round.
Umayan, Largo and San Diego were all eyeing to beat Dalagan, Cyhrea Ruth Atog and Sheila Mer Donoga, respectively, and hope one of them emerges with the highest tiebreak score to claim the crown in the event bankrolled by Tolentino, a Cavite vice governor and National Chess of the Philippines vice president.
The same logjam also happened in the premier open Under-18 class as Christian Gian Carlo Arca, Cyrus Vladimir Francisco and Del Emerson dela Cruz were bunched on top with five points each.
Francisco and Arca split the point while Dela Cruz sent Jeremy Marticio back to earth to bolster their respective title chances in the meet backed by the PSC, NCFP and POC President Abraham Tolentino.
Dela Cruz and Francisco clash in the last round while Arca tangle with Jerish John Velarde.
