TWO youngsters from the University of Baguio are set to fly to Macau this weekend for the upcoming Asean Age Group Championship.
Twelve-years-old Bea Mendoza and Brylle Gever Vinluan will be competing against thousands of upcoming woodpushers from all over Asia in the 10-day competition.
Mendoza is the reigning 12-under titlist that gave her a ticket to the Macau competitions but will be competing in the 14-under division, while Vinluan, who placed third in the 14-under division, will be seeing action in the 16-under.
“There’s a chance for the two of them to have a FIDE Masters rating if they do good here,” said a hopeful coach Ronaldo Alvez.
Mendoza will be among the three 12-year-old incoming Grade 7 University of Baguio students competing in the 14 and under female players representing the country in the Asean+ Age Group Championships, while schoolmate Vinluan who is one of three in the 16 under division.
“I just hope to have a good showing,” said a bashful Mendoza, who got two bronze medals in the recent Philippine National Games.
Mendoza recently topped the National Age Championship that concluded April 27 in San Antonio, Quezon City while Vinluan landed second runner-up in the 16-year-old and under division earning them berths to the Macau competitions.
UB head coach Joseph Codiaman expressed hope for his incoming Grade 8 Mendoza, saying she has become one of the brightest in women’s chess after beating national team member Christy Bernales in a recent national open.
“She is good and will develop further thus we try to expose her more,” said Codiaman, who wrested college chess supremacy by winning both divisions of the Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League chess competitions.