WITH Davao Eagles and Zamboanga Sultans already advancing, the other two Mindanao teams ― Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and Cagayan de Oro Higalas ― play crucial matches tonight for their own survival in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines All-Filipino Conference.
A win by the Checkmaters over former customer Iriga Oragon will give them an automatic 6th spot in the quarterfinals. Even in defeat, a victory by the CMOCA Higalas against the Camarines Soaring Eagles will still push the Surigao chessers to the playoff round, thus avoiding the play-in knockout where the Cagayan de Oro bets are facing twice-to-beat odds regardless of the outcome of their 7:30 pm assignment.
“Gawas nga makatabang sa amo ilang kadaugan, ma high morale sab ang CMOCA kay ang twice-to-beat nga Camarines gihapon ilang ma engkwentro balik sa play-in knockout,” Surigao team owner, Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
The Checkmaters are coming from back-to-back wins opposite Tacloban, 13-8, and Palawan, 15-6. While the CMOCA Higalas whipped Cebu, 15-6 after a tight 10-11 loss to Davao Eagles that occupy the second place in the Southern Division with a 26-7 win-loss record behind the pace-setting Iloilo Kisela Knights (29-4).
The returning Zambo Sultans (24-9) keep the solo third after a triumph against the Negros Kingsmen, 12-9, and an 8-13 defeat at the hands of the Ilonggos last Saturday.
“We’re all motivated to give our best in our last match in the elimination round. We agreed nga wala say inom nga mahitabo,” said CMOCA’s reliable senior combatant Fr. Vic Arellano.
