FOR the streaking Surigao chessers, who won their last three matches, facing Grandmaster Mark Paragua and the Pasig Pirates tonight will be the first real test of might as the south meets the north half of the All-Filipino first elimination phase of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.
“They’re obviously a tough match for us, but also a dream match,” Surigao team owner Honorary National Master Rey Urbiztondo said of Pasig bannered this conference by US-based Grandmaster Mark Paragua.
Former UAAP Rookie of the Year and Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Lennon Hart Salgados was still a kid when the grown-up Paragua, then considered the speed chess king of the Philippines, had cracked the elite 2600 club of the world's chess ranking under the governing FIDE.
Tonight at 7 pm, Salgados will have the chance to meet his long-time idol Paragua for the first time in the PCAP top board match in blitz and rapid plays via Chess.com online format.
Surigao’s second board John Ranel Morazo, likewise an erstwhile UAAP stalwart, is also raring to pit wits with Grandmaster Darwin Laylo.
On board 3, Surigao’s Mariel Romero will take on her more experienced lady counterpart Sherily Cua as the rest of the four board matches will be disputed between National Master Cyril Ortega and International Master Cris Ramayrat, Fide Master Vince Alaan against Eric Labog Jr, Antonio Chavez Jr versus Kevin Arquero and Cyrus Donasco opposite Marc Kevin Labog.
“Very interesting ang Surigao-Pasig match-up, medyo ma pressure sab ang team ni GM Paragua kay mga batan-on nga non-master apan tirador ang topboard players sa Surigao,” said Cagayan de Oro Higalas’ reliable board 5 Jaime Joshua Frias II.
The Pasig Pirates paced the Northern Division with a remarkable 10-1 win-loss record in the company of the San Juan Predators. While the Surigao Checkmaters occupied the Southern Division's fourth spot with Zamboanga Sultans at 7-4 behind solo leader Iloilo Kisela Knights, 10-1, second-running Davao Chess Wizards, 9-2, and third-placer Negros Kingsmen at 8-3.
