Lagula, Fronda top Juniors qualifying

Final Standing
Open Division
5.0 points-M. Lagula;  4.5 points–J. Pimentel, P. Bersamina, T. Ibaoc; 4.0 points-V. Medina, J. Castro, J. Fronda, NM J. Florendo, J. Mirano, P. Evangelista,  F. Grafil
Girls Division
4.5 points–WNM J. Fronda, G. Romero, WFM M. Sandiego, J. Pineda, M. Mirano; 4.0 points–C. Laz, J. Enriquez, A. Lim, D. Surposa

NUEVA Vizcaya’s McDominique Lagula drew with Joel Pimentel of Negros Occidental in the 5th round and beat Jude Emil Fronda of UST in the last round to rule the Open Division of the 2012 National Age Group Chess Championships– Visayas leg at the Cabagnot Training Center in Kalibo, Aklan.

Lagula, also of Far Eastern University, had 5 points to edge three players by  half a point.

Pimentel, of St. Benilde, drew his last two games and settled for second place after the tie-break. He amassed 4.5 points together with third placer Fide Master Paulo Bersamina (Manila) and Tristan Frech Ibaoc of Cagayan de Oro (fourth).

Ibaoc came from behind via wins in the last two rounds against Jeazzir Surposa (Gen San) and Marc Nazario (UP) to join the qualifiers for the Grand Finals to be held  April 23 to 30 in Tanauan City, Batangas.

The Girls Championship was fiercely contested with five players scoring 4.5 points each to wind up in a tie for first to fifth places.
De La Salle University stalwart WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who won her last two matches, clinched the title by a superior tie break. She beat Samantha Glo Revita (Pangasinan) in the fifth and WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego of Cavite in the last rounds.