‘Susulong paitaas ang chess sa PCAP’ -- Antonio

HINDI man magtagumpay ang koponan, umaasa sina Iloilo Kisela Knights Board 1 player Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. at team ownermanager Leo Sotaridona, na mas mapapalakas at mabibigyan ng kalidad ang chess development sa bansa sa pagsulong ng Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).

At sa panahon na ang lahat at nasa kani-kanilang tahanan dulot ng lockdown bunsod ng coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, mas madaling ma-access ng sambayanan ang chess.

“Chess is always one of the more popular sports among the Filipinos. And now with the coronavirus pandemic keeping all of us at home, there is a clamor to play chess online,” pahayag ni Antonio, tanging player na may hawak na markang 13 tropeo bilang National Champion, sa kanyang pagbisita sa “Usapang Sports on Air” ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports via Zoom nitong Huwebes.

Tinaguriang “Iron Man” ng Philippine chess bunsod nang matikas na kampanya sa 150,000 online games, sinabi ni Antonio na matikas ang talent ng Pinoy maging online chess o over-theboard.

“Magagaling naman tayong mga Pilipino kahit sa online chess. Although it is a lot different than face-to-face chess, we have adjusted well enough to stay competitive,” sambit ni Antonio sa program ana itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) at Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Pinuri ni Antonio, ikatlong Pinoy na naging GM sa likod nina GM Eugene Torre at namayapang GM Rosendo Balinas, Jr., ang pamunuan ng PCAP, sa pamumuno nina Atty. Paul Elauria at Michael Angelo Chua, gayundin ni Iloilo Kisela Knights, sa pangangasiwa ni Leo Sotaridona, sa pagbibigay buhay sa chess sa pamamagitan ng PCAP.

“PCAP, which started only last Jan. 16, is very timely since it gives players from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao the opportunity to play chess during this pandemic,” aniya.

Personal ding pinasalamatan ni Antonio ang GAB, sa pangunguna ni Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra sa suportang ibinigay sa Philippine sports, particular sa chess.

Iginiit naman ni Sotaridona na hindi lamang ang Iloilo bagkus ang lahat ng koponan ay kompetitibo sa laban.

“Right now, the Knights are among the leading teams with 9-2 win-loss record in the Southern Conference behind only Negros Kingsmen (10-1) and Camarines Eagles (10-1),” sambit ni Sotaridona.