THE full support of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter M. Unabia by sending the biggest contingent in the $35,000-rich Manny Pacquiao International Chess Tournament has paid dividends as it ruled the team competition after modest success in the exceptionally tough individual category.

With only three of its seven entries (Antonio Chavez Jr at 23rd, Johnnel Balquin at 25th, Jeriel Manlimbana at 29th) cracking the top-30 finish in the Individual Open won by Indonesian Fide Master Arif Abdul Hafiz, Misamis Oriental province fielded seven teams in the team event with the last one it created ― the Paglaum MisOr Popeye made up of FM Mark Jay Bacojo, Chavez and Julius Silvederio ― winning the championship trophy and the P75,000 top prize.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. The Misamis Oriental chessers pocket the P75,000 top purse in team event of the recent Manny Pacquiao International Chess Tournament in General Santos City. Photo courtesy of PSDO

Played at the Robinson’s Place in General Santos City on December 13-14, the Paglaum MisOr Popeye hurdled its first five matches then managed a thrilling draw with Barmm, 1.5-1.5 in the sixth and final round to prevail with a total score of 10 match points.

After the veteran Silvederio secured the lone victory on board 3 against the youthful Yuri Lei Paraguya, it looked like an easy job for Misamis Oriental in its quest for the crowning glory as Chavez seized early the initiative on board 2 against the grizzled Moctar Ali.

But with only 50 seconds left on his clock against Chavez’s six minutes, Ali managed to counter-attack under heavy time pressure to
level the score with his dramatic win.

NOT ENOUGH. Even the presence of world blitz champion Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca on board one could not save the AGM Lopez 2 team from drifting to eleventh place in the recent Gensan chess tourney. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Now, the momentum shifts to Barmm as the ageless International Master Ricardo de Guzman enjoyed a quality-up position on board one opposite Bacojo. But in a panic situation with Bacojo’s time even teetering down to only five seconds, the promising Ilonggo IM who’s young enough to be called De Guzman’s grandson has succeeded in holding on with the match-saving draw.

“Yes, I know that I’m almost flag down but I’m quite accustomed to this kind of struggle under tremendous time pressure. No matter what, we just gave our best fight till the end,” later said Bacojo.

HEART-BREAKING. Seeking the top 2, the Paglaum MisOr Dragons, at the right row, drop to seventh place after a heart-breaking loss to Burger King Attack in the final round. Photo by Lynde Salgados

The Manny Pacquiao-backed Burger King Attack comprised of FM Alekhine Nouri, Rodolfo Panopio Jr, and Japheth Aaron Caresosa defeated the Paglaum MisOr Dragons, 2-1 to tie with MisOr Popeye at 10 MP points. But inferior tiebreak points relegated Burger Kings to second place with a P50,000 take-home.

Barmm, with nine MP points to show, bagged solo third with a P30,000 cash purse.

Sharing four to 9th place are AGM Lopez 1, Team 3%, MPCA, Paglaum MisOr Dragons, Polaris and Team Chess Mates Company at 8 MP points each with Paglaum MisOr Army completing the top-10 prize circle after edging fellow 7-pointers AGM Lopez 2 and Cotabato Barmm in the Bucholz tiebreaker.