SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD national master (NM) John Marvin Miciano of Davao City led by 1.5 points after round 12 to become virtual champion in the 13-round boys under-20 division of the 2017 National Age-Group Chess Championships at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu Tuesday.
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) junior boys’ chess double gold medalist for Far Eastern University drew a bye in the final 13th round as of Tuesday. Awarding was set later in the evening.
The seventh-seeded Miciano earned 9.5 points while fourth-seeded Jeth Romy Morado was second with eight points and NM John Merill Jacutina third with 7.5 points in the penultimate round of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)-sanctioned meet.
Thus, even if Morado wins his last match against Sarri Subahani, Miciano will still emerge champion.
"Hindi po ako nag-expect pero kailangang i-motivate ko talaga sarili ko para i-aim pong mag-champion. Focus lang po every game at prayers for guidance," Miciano said in a Facebook interview.
The Dabawenyo was unbeaten in 12 rounds, winning eight games and drawing three. He upset top seed Jethro Esplanada in the seventh round. His other victims were Joshua Arias, Jonathan Jota, Subahani, Allan Pason, Jesiah Mendoza, Kenneth Flores and Romeo Canino while Miciano drew with Jacutina, Romulo Curioso, Jr. and Hareve James Sumatra.
"Halos malalakas po lahat considering grand finals po eto at lahat po gusto talagang manalo for slot sa Vietnam," Miciano said.
He was supposed to be entered in boys’ under-18 but he instead played in Under-20 as part of his preparations for the 1st East Asia Championship, which is designed for under-20 players, in Tagaytay City slated May 26 to June 5.