USC woodpushers win Shell National crowns

University of San Carlos’s (USC) vaunted wood pushers Rhenzi Kyle Sevilleno and Vic Glyzen Derotas topped their respective divisions in the 20th Shell National Youth Active Chess Tournament yesterday at the SM Megamall in Manila.

The 13-year old Sevilleno dominated the boys division with a final standing of nine wins and one draw after 10 rounds while the 11-year-old Derotas improved won the girls kiddies division, improving her third-place finish last year.

Derotas defeated Frinze Esra Ocliaza of Mindanao in the ninth round to finish with 8.5 points after 10-rounds. Sevilleno routed Manila’s Kyle Marcellana in his final game.

Derotas bagged P12,000  for her win while Sevilleno won P20,000.

Sevillano earned his national championship ticket after topping the Davao leg while Derotas won the Cebu leg last Aug. 25 at the SM City Cebu.

Veteran arbiters Marvin Ruelan and Roger Abella were delighted with the win of the young woodpushers and thanked Tuburan Mayor Democrito Aljun Diamante, who shouldered the financial needs of Sevilleno.

Derotas and Sevillano also spearheaded USC’s dominance in chess in the 17th Milo Little Olympics held last month in Cebu.