MHAGE GERRIAHLOU SEBASTIAN came from behind to snatch the crown from Ruelle Canino in the Philippine National Juniors Chess Championship at the PACE Center in Quezon City Tuesday.
Trailing 13-year-old Canino by a point entering the ninth and last round, Sebastian, 15, trampled Rinoa Mariel Sadey and Canino falter against 2019 champion Vic Glysen Derotas to claim the title.
Sebastian, a Far Eastern University stalwart, ended up on top with 7.5 points and shoved Canino to second place with 7.0 points.
Fide Master Alekhine Nouri displayed poise as he drew with Israelito Rilloraza in the last round to emerge the new juniors champion of the event backed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Chess Movement Inc. chairman Dr. Ariel Potot.
Nouri, 15, tallied seven points, half a point ahead of Adrian Othniel Yulo, who beat Jeremiah Luis Cruz to settle for No. 2.
Sebastian and Nouri will represent the country in the Asian and World Championships next year, according to NCFP chief executive officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.