Jota draws, keeps share of top spot with Pascua, Garma

Unfancied Jonathan Jota continued his strong showing in the Battle of GMs-National Championships, drawing with Michael Concio Jr. and keeping his share of the lead with International Masters Haridas Pascua and Chito Garma after the sixth round on Saturday at Alphaland Makati.

Pascua, who only needs to raise his Elo rating to 2500 to become a full-fledged Grandmaster, settled for a draw with IM Paulo Bersamina, while the 53-year-old Garma also split the point with top seed GM John Paul Gomez.

Jota, stalwart of Lyceum of the Philippines, Pascua and Garma have 4.5 points each in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, headed by Prospero “Butch” Pichay, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

GM Darwin Laylo and Jeth Romy Morado also drew their match in the tournament serving as main qualifier for the national team to the 2018 Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia

Reigning national junior champion John Marvin Miciano was the day’s lone winner in the men’s division, toppling IM Ronald Bancod to tally 1.5 points.

In women’s play, De La Salle University standout Bernadette Galas beat Michelle Yaon while Marie Antonette San Diego drew with Francois Marie Magpily.

Galas, the UAAP Season 78 Most Valuable Player, and San Diego, the UAAP Rookie of the Year on the same season, have 4.5 points each .

Christy Lamuel Bernales trounced Cherry Ann Mejia and Shania Mae Mendoza outclassed Beverly Mendoza to keep their chances alive.

WGM Janelle Mae Frayna begged off from participation to concentrate on the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) skated in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Sept. 14 to 24.

Joining Frayna in AIMAG are GMs Eugene Torre, Julio Catalino Sadorra and Jayson Gonzales. —ROY LUARCA