MANILA, Philippines – Jerad Docena secured back-to-back wins in the Luzon leg of the 2013 National Age-Group Chess Championships to remain in the title hunt at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos City.

The 15-year-old Docena beat Lennon Heart Salgados in the fourth round then subdued Marc Christian Nazario in the fifth to remain on top of the leader board in the boys under-20 category with 5.0 points in five outings.

“Mahirap ‘yung laro ko po kina Lennon Heart at Marc Christian, pero pinilit kong manalo. Buti na lang matatag ako sa bandang huli,” said Docena.

Docena will play Paul Robert Evangelista in the next round.

Evangelista, a top player from the Far Eastern University, is at solo second with 4.0 points after beating Jan Francis Mirano and Christian Nanola in the fourth and fifth rounds.

Also with perfect scores in their respective categories are Dennis Gutierrez, Daniel Quizon and Jerish John Velarde.

Heirry Manaloto beat John Christopher Inoncillo in the fourth round then drew with Hans Christian Balingit in the fifth to remain on top of the boys under-16 category with 4.5 points.

Daryl Unix Samantila is leading the boys under-14 with 4.5 points.

In the girls’ division, Mikee Charlene Suede and Rowelyn Joy Acedo both tallied 4.5 points in the girls under-20 to share the lead. -- By Marlon Bernardino