UMAASA si chess ‘Godfather’ Billy Joe Ereno na magiging tulay ang Philippine Chess League (PCL) sa katuparan ng pangarap ng mga kabataan na maging future world-class chess masters.
“Stepping stone ng mga kabataan itong PCL para makaabot sila sa professional league. Dito hinahasa namin sila through online competition. Natutuwa ako at sa Finals ng Season 2 ng PCL parehong team ko ang maglalaban sa championship,” pahayag ni Ereno sa Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ via Zoom nitong Huwebes.
Tinutukoy niya ang kapwa pinamamahalaang Chessmis TV at Cosbusters Phil. Corporating, na magtatapat para sa titulo ng Philippine Chess League (PCL) Season 2 online chess tournament ngayon sa Lichess Platform.
Naunang giniba ng defending champ Chessmis TV ang Surigao Diamond Portrait Knight, 250-211, habang dinispatsa ng Cosbusters Phil. ang San Miguel Chess Association, 244-180.
Bumida si Anatoly Pascua, dating top player ng University of Santo Tomas chess team, na tumapos ng 17 points sa Fischer random chess o mas kilalang Chess960 Semifnals Game 2 noong Linggo sa five minutes plus two seconds increment time control format. Nag-ambag sina Junmark Baldesimo, Alji Cantonjos at Reynaldo Aba-a ng 14, 13 at 12 markers, ayon sa pagkakasunod.
Kasama sa tumulong sa Chessmis TV sina Kharl Manliguez (11 pts), Adrian Yulo (10 pts), Nazario Ubanan (9 pts), playing coach Jimmy Dano (6 pts), Bobby Salomon (6 pts), Arian Belly Calido (5 pts), Lexis Bruce Portacion (5 pts), John Chua (3 pts) at Michael Tinga (3 pts). Si Christian Mendoza ang kumana ng 10 points sa kiddies division, habang 3 pts mula kay Ma. Arlene A. Antiquina Ablin sa Female category.
Sanib-pwersa naman sina Adrian Esteva (10 pts), playing team manager Jezreel Lopez (9 pts), Freddie Talaboc (9 pts) at Ervil Villa (8 pts) para rendahan ang Cosbusters Phil. laban sa San Miguel Chess Association.
“We are very happy because we thought we were lucky to advance to the finals,” sabi pa ni Ereno sa lingguhang sports forum na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and Amusements Board (GAB) at PAGCOR. (DENNIS IÑIGO)
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