BOTH coming from winless stints, the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and Cagayan de Oro Higalas rebounded with back-to-back wins in the inter-division skirmish of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines All-Filipino Conference, over the weekend.

The Congressman Robert Barbers-backed Checkmaters crushed Cavite, 15-6, and Cagayan Province, 15.5-5.5 with slow-starting board 2 newcomer Alfred Rapanot finally showing some improvement. While the Dr. Ariel Potot-owned Higalas drubbed Mindoro, 14.5-6.5 before orchestrating a hair-raising upset over the heavily-favored Manila via the Armageddon playoff duel, 10.5-10.5, 2-1.

Last-minute replacement in youthful Aljie Cantonjos of Gingoog City played the heroics role in the CMOCA Higalas’ ego-boosting comeback from a string of losses.

After scoring a draw (blitz) and a win (rapid) for 2.5 points against Mindoro, Cantonjos helped Cagayan de Oro hold the fancied Manila to a standoff in regular plays that ensued a tie-breaking duel, pitting the chosen 3 players from each team.

Oro’s Balquin scored an upset against International Master Ronald Dableo, but young compatriot Ronald Canino bowed down to IM Chito Garma, thus leaving Cantonjos' match with Candidate Master Jhulo Goloran for the deciding point.

And survive he did as the black-wielding Cantonjos bested Goloran to give the Higalas a 2-1 triumph in the Armageddon.

“Nag 1-1 then ako last ang nabilin. Lami kaayo ang feeling nga napadaug nimo ang team,” Cantonjos proudly told Gold Star Daily.

“Dako pud akong pasalamat kay uncle Frias (Jaime) kay siya gyod ang nag push nga masingit ko sa Armageddon tiebreaker,” added Cantonjos.

Also producing important wins for the Higalas are National Master Anthony Makinano, Lorebina Carrasco, and Fr Vic Arellano.

Avoiding a loss on board 2 manned by Rapanot bolstered Surigao's two-game roll as John Ranel Morazo productively filled the slack on board one in the absence of Lennon Hart Salgados.

Lady reinforcement Mariel Romero was also consistent in her scoring contribution complemented by NM Cyril Ortega, Antonio Chavez Jr, and Fide Master Vince Alaan on the lower boards.

“I’m quite satisfied sa among standing karon in the upper half. The team is confident nga makasulod ‘mi sa playoff round,” said Surigao team owner in Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.