OPENING the year with a sportsmanship award from the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates made true of their promise to “be mean” in facing the challenges ahead in 2022.
Just recently, the wards of Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo ― playing as the Surigao Diamond Portrait Kbight Chess Team ― won the Episode 8 Team Battle of the Chess 960 (Fischer-Random) Philippine Chess League Season 2.
“If PCAP chess is the country’s PBA in basketball, the PCL chess is like the amateur Philippine Basketball League,” Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
Cagayan de Oro native Lennon Hart Salgados of the Philippine Air Force made good use of his skillful piece maneuvers to power Surigao in winning the PCL Season 2’s Episode 8 virtually held via Lichess online platform.
Registered as LennonHart29 on Lichess, Salgados tallied with 30 points to spearhead Surigao to a championship finish.
Julius Dan Augustine Ablin, who is Salgados’ former Palaro teammate, chipped in 24 points followed by fellow Iliganon Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe delivered 22 points.
“I am proud of our team’s performance. We believed in each other, that all of us would give our best, which inspired belief in one’s self [sic]. It was this confidence that enabled us to win despite being outrated. We hope to sustain this good performance up to the last episode,” the team skipper Orbe said.
Also contributing to Surigao’s initial success are Deo Sandro Ladion (20 pts), John Ranel Morazo (19 pts), Cyrus Donasco (19 pts), Dr. Wil Maghanoy (16 pts), Alfredo Rapanot (16 pts), Joselito Serna (15 pts), Rodney Opada (12 pts), Atty Melzar Galicia (12 pts), Francis Joseph Kaamino (11 pts), Antonio Chavez Jr. (10 pts), and team-playing owner Rey Urbiztondo (10 pts).
The Surigao Diamond Portrait Knight Chess Team had a total score of 199 points to bag the championship crown.
PFCC Chess Team came second with 194 points, followed by third placer Zambo Chess Archos with 171 points.
Rounding up the top-10 circle are the Rising Phoenix Chess Team (166 pts), San Miguel Chess Association Team (164 pts), Costbursters Philippines Corp. Chess Team (162 pts), SSS Chess Club (133 pts), Bicol Chess Players’ Advocates (119 pts), Chessmis TV Chess Team (116 pts), and Malolos City Chess Club (116 pts).
The PCL is headed by the founding chairman, NA Ringo Villagonzallo, President NA Cesar Calopez, 1st Vice President NA Dioniver “Bobot” Medrano, 2nd Vice President Engr. Rey Urbiztondo and Tournament Director Engr. Joel Hicap. (With reports from Marlon Bernardino)
