HERE’S good news to Philippine chess.
San Miguel Corporation, the country’s giant food conglomerate and biggest supporter of sports, is now lending a helping hand to the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).
In a statement, PCAP said San Miguel Corp., through President-Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang, has agreed to support the promotion of the first and only professional chess league in the Philippines.
“We are humbled by this unexpected sponsorship from San Miguel and its head, Mr. Ang. The league is barely two months old, yet we have attracted the attention of probably the biggest sports patron in the Philippines,” said PCAP presidenr-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria.
“In our meeting, Mr. Ang told me that he appreciates what we do in PCAP – that of helping the youth veer away from vices and other worthless activities. He also said that the sport of chess develops the analytical minds of our children and it is a perfect balance to other physically demanding sports that San Miguel has also been supporting,” Elauria told People’s Tonight.
PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal also expressed excitement over this new development.
“This partnership with San Miguel Corporation ensures that PCAP will continue to grow and be a resounding success for the Filipino chess community. We can surely anticipate stellar developments in the coming days. Thank you for your trust, San Miguel Corporation,“expressed Chua.
“San Miguel Corporation joining us in PCAP further strengthens the image of the league and ensures that all commitments of PCAP, to the players, to the teams, game officials, and the general public, will always be honored and complied with,” added Batungbakal.
The news of San Miguel’s support came after the PCAP also received the full backing of the backing of Fischer-Random Chess world champion GM Wesley So and the world’s most prestigious chess platform Chess..com.
At present, the inaugural PCAP All-Filipino Conference is entering its play-off stage
Thereafter, PCAP will hold its Second Conference called the Wesley So Cup, and the Third Conference, where foreign teams will be invited to play.
“From now on, all our conferences will carry the PCAP-SMC brand. PCAP is on a roll, indeed,” Elauria said.
Last Wednesday, San Juan Predators made history by completing the first perfect game in PCAP with a smashing 21-0 rout of the Isabela Knight Raiders.
GM Oliver Barbosa, FM Narquingden Reyes, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Ricardo de Guzman, NM Michael Gotel, Narquingel Reyes and Narciso Gumila provided the victories for San Juan in both blitz and rapid chess competitions in this prestigious, 24-team tournament organized by PCAP and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Barbosa defeated Alvin Aguinaldo, Reyes outwitted Gerard Cabellon, Fronda whipped Sheryl Andes Bordon, De Guzman outplayed Francisco Cabe, Gotel overwhelmed Anwar Cabugatan, Reyes bested Lordwin Espiritu and Gumila outclassed Renan Rabago.
It was the first 21-0 sweep in PCAP, the country’s first-ever professional chess league managed by Atty. Elauria as president and Chua as chairman.
“We did not really expect the 21-0 result (against Isabela),” said San Juan coach Hubert Estrella.
