RELYING on solid home ground talents, Mindanao ― represented by four teams this time around ― poses a serious threat in the 2022 season opener of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) got underway yesterday via chess.com online format.
For a start, the Mindanao teams tested each other in the 7:30 pm skirmishes with the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates facing last conference’s guest squad Davao Eagles and the Lapu-Lapu’s replacement Cagayan de Oro-Misor taking on the returning Zamboanga Sultans.
The Surigao team, which drafted John Ranel Morazo and Antonio Chavez Jr to form a core alongside their former FEU Tamaraws teammate Lennon Hart Salgados and new lady recruit in erstwhile UAAP standout Mariel Romero of Adamson University, will be up against the proud Dabawenyos to be led by IPCA world chess champion Fide Master Sander Severino.
Backing up Severino are FM Roel Abelgas, Arena Woman Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy Acedo, National Masters Alexander Lupian, Jonathan Tan, James Infiesto, Henry Roger Lopez and Aglipay Oberio as well as Arnel Niño Aton, Anthony Mosqueda, NA Aladino Diez and Mary Israel Segarra.
“With four team entries and solid locals, I think Mindanao will be strongly contending for the PCAP title this conference,” said Engr Diez, who is also the Dabawenyos’ team manager.
Cagayan de Oro, which equaled Davao with the most number of recruits in the recent annual draft, will be known as the CMOCA-RCA Higalas.
The Higalas are made up of NMs Anthony Makinano, Levi Mercado and Johnnel Balquin, Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan, Mario Arroyo, Nazario Ubanan and Jaime Joshua Frias II.
They will be debuting against the Zamboanga Sultans anchored by NMs Dale Bernardo and Paulo James Florendo, Sarah Mae Chua, FM Belsar Valencia, and NMs Joey Albert Florendo, Raymond Salcedo and Zulfikar Sali.
“I believe that our local (pride) in the lower boards will make a difference and so the home ground bets of the other teams from Mindanao,” said Cagayan de Oro’s Frias.
Eyeing the rare distinction of becoming a double champion, All-Filipino ruler Laguna Heroes open their campaign against Olongapo Rainbow; Wesley So Cup champion Iloilo Kisela Knights warm up with Palawan Queen’s Gambits and San Miguel Corporation- Ayala Land winner San Juan Predators hope to start well opposite Caloocan Load Manna Knights.
