TEAM Cagayan de Oro produced its first qualifier to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Chess in Zhaoyu Capilitan, even as fellow elementary Girls contestant Ruelle “Tawing” Canino and the rest of the Cagayan de Oro bets are still in the thick of the fight in the ongoing 2019 National Age-Group Chess Grand Finals in Zambales.

With still two rounds left, Capilitan of Mastersons Avenue Elementary School already secured the last Asean seat in Girls 8-under category when she finished third behind Luzon qualifiers Jean Antonette Brade (8 points) and Danielle Bianca Cruz (7.5 points) with 6.5 points to show ahead of another Luzon bet Noreen Sciecky Atienza (4 pts).

“Dili na maapsan si Capilitan kay bisan pa ma-perfect ang nagsunod taman ra si Atienza sa 6 points after sa nabilin nga duha ka rounds,” Oro chess coach Johnnel Balquin said in a text message.

The top-3 finishers in each bracket will represent the Philippine team in the Asean Finals of which Davao City is planning to host later this year.

Two-time Asean age-group gold medalist Ruelle Canino is tied with Luzon-based rival Jersey Marticio at 6 points each in Girls 12-under division.

“Daghan pa sa atong entries ang kombate pa in the fight for the Asean slots. Of course, good news kaayo nga aduna na kitay usa nga nag-qualify with still two more rounds to go,” Balquin said.