DETERMINED to bounce back from a dismal 4-9 win-loss record, the Cagayan de Oro Higalas quickly followed its acquisition of former Palaro standout Lorebina Carrasco II by welcoming four more replacement players for the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) campaign.
The erstwhile Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan stalwart Adrian Othniel Yulo, Gingoog City ace Alji Cantonjos, Oro clergy Fr. Vic Arellano, and UAAP alumnus Christian Arroyo will reinforce the struggling Higalas who will face Rizal and Quezon teams tonight in PCAP’s inter-division where the south tangles with the north half of the All-Filipino conference’s first elimination round.
“We’re just praying and hoping that things will get better karon nga ni-give way ang mga veterans sa mga promising ug batan-on nga players,” the Oro Higalas’ reliable scorer Jaime Joshua Frias II told Gold Star Daily.
“Hopefully, I can still sustain in providing wins as (Cagayan de Oro) Higalas face Rizal and Quezon tonight starting at 7 pm,” added Frias.
The youthful Yulo, who enrolled with the De La Salle-College Saint Benilde before the pandemic, is best remembered for winning the MVP award in the Milo Little Olympics National Finals.
Known for his blitz prowess, Alji is the son of National Master waiver Allan Cantonjos, who just retired from the Air force service.
Before his transfer to Cagayan de Oro’s fold, Fr. Arellano was Team Surigao’s productive scorer on the senior board.
“Pero akong kasingkasing naa gyod sa akong hometown Cagayan de Oro,” Fr. Arellano said.
The Manila-based Christian is also the son of Oro’s senior chesser Mario Arroyo.
He’s one of the respected non-masters in the country, who graduated as a varsity player of Far Eastern University.
The CMOCA RCM Higalas’ upgraded roster:
- Johnnel Balquin
- Anthony Makinano
- Lorebina Carrasco II – lady regular
- Fr. Vic E. Arellano – Senior regular
- Jaime Joshua Frias – Home grown
- Romeo Canino – Home grown
- Christian Arroyo – Home grown
Reserved: - Alji Cantonjos – Home grown
- Ronald Canino – Home grown
- Sammy Sabenecio – Senior alternate
- Jael Maurial – Lady alternate
Team Manager/Captain: - Bong Vasquez
Team analyst/pairing – Dodoy Dalauta
Team live streaming – Arbz Calido
