RIDING on the crest of their strong finish in Episode 8, the Mindanao team Surigao Diamond Knights eye a stint in the Philippine Chess League finals when they face Chesmis TV tonight, March 11 around 8 pm via online chess format.
The 16-person Diamond Knights are the sister team of the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.
“Kon sa basketball pa, among Fianchetto Checkmates sa PBA ang birada, while ang Diamond Knights sa amateur league nga PBL ang panirada,” said NCFP Honorary National Master Rey Urbiztondo who owns both teams supported by Congressman Robert Barbers.
The Knights-Chesmis TV’s semis duel is expected to get the attention of community chess followers, especially in Mindanao which always yearns for a local chess hero in the national spotlight.
“Compared to PCAP, mas dako atong chance sa Mindanao dire sa PCL kay naa sab nadugang sa amo nga mga arangan na players,” said Urbiztondo, referring to lawyer Çliburn Orbe and medical physician Wil Maghanoy, who are both from Iligan and another lawyer Melzar Galicia from Davao City.
Cagayan de Oro native Lennon Hart Salgados of the Philippine Air Force powered Surigao’s PCL Season 2 conquest of Episode 8 played over Lichess.com some two weeks ago.
Registered as LennonHart29 on Lichess, Salgados tallied with 30 points for Surigao’s championship finish with a total of 199 points ahead of closest pursuer PFCC Chess Team (194 pts) and third-running Zambo Chess Archos with 171 points.
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.
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).
