After losing in her opening round to LJ Getubig, Apayao pride Woman National Master Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian won four straight games, then two more to win the women’s side of the National Men and Women Semi-Finals Chess Championship last September 25 to 29.
Sebastian claimed the scalps of Angel Po, Aeiona Mendoza, the unrated Annabela Canonigo and Wena Escalida to improve to 4/5 before settling for a draw with the higher rated Allaney Doroy.
Then it was two straight for Sebastian with wins as she avenged her opening loss to Getubig, then followed it up with a victory over Vic Glysen Gerotas.
A draw with Bonjoure Fille Suyamin saw the Far Eastern University Tamaraw finish with seven points to beat Doroy who finished with five points in tie with Derotas.
This as 18-year-old FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo took the men’s side to make it a two for two for FEU.
Bacojo, who shared second place in the Blitz event of the World Youth Chess Championship in 2023, had a slow start and finished with 6.5 points in tie with two other players.
Vince Angelo Medina and Alexis Maribao finished second and third, respectively, after tallying 6.5 points, but with a lower tie-break.
Sebastian was the rookie of the year in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86.