By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
VICTORIOUS in their last three outings, Mindanao’s Surigao Fianchetto Checkmaters will be oozing with confidence and in fighting form, entering the second phase rivalry of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) 3rd Conference starting tonight (7:30 pm) via chess.com.
However, the problem is: they’ll be up against the two heavyweights ― Manila and Pasig ― that are contending for the prestigious national online team title in the foreign-laced season-ending Conference.
“Both are powerhouse teams with great resources that obviously overwhelm us strength-wise man for man. But we’re not afraid and we’ll just enjoy looking for a possible upset,” said Surigao team owner, Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.
Manila has Grandmaster Ino Sadorra, International Masters Marvin Miciano, Cris Ramayrat, Ronald Dableo, and Chito Garma, and National Master Edgardo Garma in its lineup. While Pasig relies on the powerful cast of GMs Roland Salvador and Darwin Laylo, Fide Master David Elorta, IM Eric Labog, WFM Sherily Cua, NM Rudy Ybañez, and top non-master Kevin Arquero in its roster.
“Walay bangag ilang mga linya. Dinhi masulayan ang katakos sa among duha ka batan-on nga mga former UAAP stars,” said Urbiztondo, referring to Zamboanga NM Joey Florendo of UST Tigers and Cagayan de Oro’s Lennon Hart Salgados of FEU Tamaraws.
Powered by NMs Jonathan Tan and Florendo, the Congressman Robert Barbers-backed Surigao chessers closed out their first elimination round campaign by sweeping through Camarines Sur and Cebu City in their last two game assignments to achieve their target of making the top-three in PCAP’s Southern division among eight-team qualifiers.
In PCAP’s regular tourney, Surigao’s surprise rout of Cebu at 15.5-5.5 was also attributed to Fide Master Vince Alaan and his brother, Tyrone, as well as Fr. Vic Arellano and Rogelio Canoy who all scored a perfect three of three performance in the blitz and rapid matches.
The Checkmaters were also convincing in defeating Cebu, 14-7 behind the blistering show of their lower board players.
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