MINDANAO’s two remaining hopes for the elusive Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) team title plunge into quarterfinals action tonight via an online platform.
The Davao Chess Eagles, the top-seed in Southern Division with a 31-2 win-loss record, are expected to devour the last playoff qualifier Tacloban Vikings (11-22). While the sixth-seed Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates (14-19) will have a tall order against the third-seed Negros Kingsmen (28-5).
Other South matches pit Toledo (23-10) versus Palawan (15-18) and Iloilo (29-4) opposite Camarines-Iriga (13-20)
The Northern Division’s round of eight will pit Pasig (31-2) and Rizal (14-19), Manila (23-10) and Cagayan (18-15), San Juan (30-3), and Cavite (15-18), and Laguna (24-9) and Isabela (17-16).
“Again, we are the playoff underdog though we keep hoping to unleash our best and get past the quarterfinals. Basin maparehas diay sa World Cup nga nakaukas ang mga lower-tier Asian countries,” said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, the team-playing manager of the Checkmaters.
The Davao Chess Eagles, reinforced this time by Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, are keen to follow in the footsteps of the GM Joey Antonio-led Iloilo Kisela Knights that powered the South in winning PCAP’s 2nd Conference crown during its maiden season.
Paired against the stacked Kingsmen which only lost five times this conference in 33 outings, the Checkmaters have little chance to advance.
They are hopeful, however, to exert the same energy during the All-Filipino Conference when they scored a twin-upset over the Negros Kingsmen, 12-9, and the Iloilo Kisela Knights, 11.5-9.5.
Urbiztondo may field tonight Surigao’s combined force of youth and veterans in John Ranel Morazo, Lennon Hart Salgados, Mariel Romero, NM Cyril Ortega, Rhen Rheann Auza, Antonio Chavez, and FM Vince Alaan against the heavily-favored Negros cast of International Master Joel Pimentel, the Fide Master tandem of David Elorta and Mari Joseph Turquiza, Woman International Master Bernadette Galas, the NM pair of Edmundo Gatus and Edsel Montoya and super non-master’s Ellan Asuela.
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