IF the early results are any indication, then the Provincial Capitol chessers are heading to something good to cherish.
After six rounds, the wards of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter M. Unabia never dropped a single game on four-board matches to lead the ongoing Paglaum MisOr-Rise CDO Cup chess team competition undefeated.
The Provincial Capitol bets of Lorenzo Cuizon, William Reintegrado, Alejandre Barbac Jr, Joven Berondo, alternate Engr. Pabua and coach Millard Tero registered a perfect score of 12 points in the District 1 division to secure the top spot in the playoff, even with still one round left in the elimination round.
Their archrivals from District 2 ― Cagayan de Oro anchored by Jashper Gonzales, Renan Cantilado, Zacarias ‘Loloy’ Duman-ag, and Aldin Ranario, and Tagoloan powered by Ismar Estrella, James Babano, Jayson Abellanosa, and Roberto Silaras ― also won all their team matches to advance.
“Pero naay pilde ilang uban nga players unlike sa Provincial Capitol nga laras gyod daug sa tanan nga individual boards,” arbiter Arbz Calido told Gold Star Daily.
After sharing the lead in the first two rounds, the Mayor Aaron Unabia-led Balingoan drifted along with the second pack struggling to make it to the playoff round after yielding to Magsaysay in a 1-3 margin.
“I think we have no problems in our division. Cagayan de Oro and Tagoloan will be our biggest threat in the crucial rounds,” coach Tero said.
Xavier University alumnus Myris Piloton Obedencio tamed the boys in her board assignment for Medina’s cause.
“But we’re not a star-studded team like the Capitol and Cagayan de Oro. We’ll just try to give our best every round win or lose,” the former Palaro player Obedencio told Gold Star Daily.
