PCAP newcomer Cagayan de Oro Higalas are still tied for second place at 4-2 after the smoke of Wednesday’s battle cleared in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines’ Southern Division via Chess.com online format.

But their second defeat at the hands of the Negros Kingsmen was a cause of alarm as they managed just 7 points to their rival's 14 in the combined results of the blitz and rapid plays.

“Yes, dako kaayo ang losing margin and that’s because the team was hounded by technical troubles. One player had a defective camera to monitor his match that got the arbiters’ attention. Nawala among focus even sa akong dula na blunder ko imbis na advantage na,” the team’s scoring machine Jaime Joshua Frias II told Gold Star Daily.

After the 7-14 debacle with National Master Anthony Makinano emerging as the only survivor in rapid contest opposite Mari Joseph Turqueza, the Richess Masters-backed Higalas quickly rebounded on the same night with a 12.5-8.5 conquest of the Iriga Oragon to create a four-way logjam with Negros, Zamboanga and Surigao for second place.

The Davao Chess Wizards and Iloilo Kisela Knights shared the top spot at 5-1.

On Saturday, the CMOCA Higalas are keen to make some adjustments with the hope of putting up a good fight against the formidable Iloilo and Davao teams in another double-header skirmish.

“Gipeldi namo ang Surigao nga ni-upset sa Negros nga nikulaya pud sa amo. So, dinhi makita na mas importante ang team work and attitude dili lang sa talent or pakusganay sa linya,” Frias said.

As now part of the Higalas’ technical staff, Fr Vic Arellano declined to play with his present team Surigao in their first-ever encounter with the Cagayan de Oro-based PCAP squad also anchored by NM Levi Mercado, Johnnel Balquin, Ronald Canino, WNM Mary Joy Tan, Aizel Jane Gicole, Mario Arroyo, Domingo Oga, Sammy Sabenecio, Nazario Ubanan, and Romeo Canino.

“Dili nato mabasol ang uban players sa CdeO-Misor to play for other teams because of a beautiful offer as far as allowance is concerned. But as Bong Vasquez stressed earlier that as the vanguards of Oro chess enthusiasts, to mention a few who have gone before us, we defend and fight that glory,” Fr Arellano encouraged the CMOCA Higalas of team owner Ariel Potot.