PINANGUNAHAN nina reigning national youth champion Francois Marie Magpily ng Makati City at Philippine Sportswriters Association awardee Al-Basher Buto ng Cainta, Rizal, ang ratsada ng Team Philippines sa 2018 National Age Group Chess Championships (NAGCC) Luzon leg sa Ramon Magsaysay Technonogical University sa Iba, Zambales.
Ginapi ni Magpily, isa sa apat na Pinoy na sumabak sa 2017 World Youth Championships, si Dasmariñas City’s Kylen Joy Mordido, habang nagwagi s Buto, AAGCC multi-gold medalist at 2017 Asian Schools Chess Championships gold medalist.
Kumikig din sina Leonel Escot (U16) at John Marx Anastacio (U18) sa naitalang perfect score sa torneo na suportado ng Province of Zambales, sa pangangasiwa ni Gov. Amor D. Deloso, Philippine Sports Commission at inorganisa ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines under Congressmen Butch Pichay and BambolTolentino.
Pinangasiwaan nina Philippine Sports Hall of Famer GM Eugene Torre, NCFP executive director & deputy secretary general Red Dumuk at RMTU sports director Robert Alvin Yap ang premyo sa mga nagwagi sa bawat age category.
Kabilang sa podium sina: boys U20-Genesis Mateo Borromeo, Daniel Quizon& Nelson Busa, Jr.; U18- Anastacio, IsraelitoRilloraza& Carl Anthony Canio; U16-Escote, John Ruiz Bravo &JarveyLabanda; U14- Cyrus Vladimir Francisco, Justine Diego Mordido& Jasper Faeldonia; U12- Mark Jay Bacojo, Elijah Josh Opriasa& Oscar Joseph Cantela; U19- Gladimir Chester Romero, Joseph Raphael Vergara& James Gilbert Bragais; U8- Buto, ArcheonMer Bautista &Clark JemuelCabatian;
Sa Girls U20 ay sina Magpily, Mordido&VionaNepascua; U18- JescaDocen, MaycydelFajardo& Vic GlysenDerotas; U16- JarelRenzLacambra, Natsja Jasmine Balabbo& Queenie Mae Samarita; U14- RohanisahButo,Ruth Joy Vinuya& Ma. Elayza Villa;U12- Franchesca Largo, April Joy Claros &Raiza MaeLocmayoan; U10- Daren de la Cruz, Mecel Angela Gadut& Jane Helen Aragones; U8- Jean AntonetteBrade, Iyael Sam Pagala&Franiel AngelaPagala.
Ang tatlong nangunang player sa bawat kategorya ay awtomatikong sasabak sa NAGCC Grand Final na gaganapin sa ayuda nina Capiz Provincial Government Gov. Antonio del Rosario sa Capiz Provincial Capitol&Capiz Gymnasium, Roxas City May 5-12.
