STARTING the year with the sportsmanship award, the newly-upgraded Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates is hoping to be in serious contention for the top honors in Season 2022 of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.
Greeted immediately with back-to-back setbacks, the typhoon Odette-ravaged Surigao team quickly rebounded with two wins in a row to occupy half of the PCAP’s team standing at 2-2.
But their upset win over the stacked Negros Kingsmen, 11.5-9.5 provided the Checkmaters with some renewed confidence going into their two-game skeds against the unbeaten Iloilo Kisela Knights (4-0) and winless Cebu Niños (0-3) tonight starting at 7 pm.
“We’re still adjusting kay naa na pud changes sa among roster of players. Majority of our locals galisod pa sab recover ang uban dili kadula kay affected pa ang internet sa Surigao sa nilabay’ng bagyo,” said team owner Rey Urbiztondo, who was recently conferred with the Honorary National Master (HNM) title for his active contribution in Mindanao chess development.
With the departure of NMs Henry Lopez, Jr, and Jonathan Tan back to their home squad, Davao Eagles, as well as Joey Florendo of Zamboanga, Urbiztondo drafted John Ranel Morazo, Alfred Rapanot, and Antonio Chavez Jr ― all erstwhile teammates of now Surigao top board Lennon Hart Salgados with the decorated FEU Tamaraws ― along with former board one lady Mariel Romero of Adamson University.
Surigao also added ex Cebu chess king, NM Cyril Ortega to solidify its cast also anchored by Aubrey Gallardo, Fr. Vic Arellano, Engr. Joselito Serna, FM Vince Alaan,Tyrone Alaan, Cyrus Donasco and Rogelio Canoy.
Bankrolled by Cong. Robert Ace Barbers with Engr. Dodjie Morales as team manager, the Surigao team bagged the sportsmanship award for being cool and fair in all its games last year.
“Yes, we’re friendly. But once we get to pull our acts together, we could be mean this conference,” warned Urbiztondo.
