DABAWENYO National Master (NM) Alexander Lupian, Ella Grace Moulic and international master (IM) Marvin Miciano bagged gold medals at the close of the standard division of the ongoing 19th Asean+ Age Group Chess Championships held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Lupian earned a total of 6.5 points in the nine-round Swiss System format chessfest to rule the seniors 50-60 divisions over Vietnamese Thai Hung Tong and compatriot Fide Master (FM) Adrian Pacis who made identical six points to place second and third, respectively.
Lupian also steered Team Philippines's golden feat in senior's 50-60 team event.
Lupian, Pacis and Edmundo Gatus totalled 18.5 while arch-rival Vietnam garnered 16.5 points.
Moulic, for her part, helped the country clinch the girls 20 division team gold with woman Fide master (WFM) Shania Mae Mendoza Kylen Joy Mordido. Their triumvate accounted for 20 points over Vietnam with 15.
Mendoza earned 7.5 points to capture the girls 20 standard individual gold.
Moulic also earned a WFM title after winning silver with fellow 6.5 scorer WFM Dita Karenza of Indonesia.
"Sobrang feeling blessed, happy and proud po kasi taga Davao City po ako at talagang gusto ng mga kababayan ko na manalo ako ng medal," Moulic said.
Despite the tough field of a handful of titled players in her group, Moulic stayed focus, putting to heart and mind the advices of De La Salle University coach Randy Segarra.
"Malaking tulong po especially yung coach ko na always naga- prepare ng mga tira ko and possible counters ko. Ine-explain nya din yung mga moves ng kalaban na hindi ko maintindihan pati na rin yung mga openings," Moulic said.
Miciano joined efforts with IM Paulo Bersamina and Stephen Rome Pangilinan to give the host country another gold in open 20 category having registered 18.5 points as against Vietnam's 12.
Miciano, who made 5.5 points, settled for bronze as Bersamina (7.5) went on to win the gold.
Dabawenya Yngayo finished with six points to annex a bronze in girls 16 event, trailing behind first two placers WFM Ngoc Thuy Duing Bach of Vietnam (7.5) and Francois Marie Magpily (6.5).
Yngayo, Magpily and Blanche Ellyz Bongato also won a team silver with 18.5 points. Vietnam took the team gold by scoring 19.5.
Rapid and blitz events will open on Tuesday, June 26, at the same venue.
