Canino, Baclayon champs in national chess

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

LIVING up to expectations as the breeding ground for future chess masters, Cagayan de Oro and the province of Misamis Oriental produced anew more qualifiers for age-group tourney abroad.

Making up for MisOr men's dismal finish in the national inter-cities and municipalities team championships, the age-group campaigners struck hard in the PACE-NCA-NCFP event also being held recently in Tanauan, Batangas.

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The pair of Ronald Canino, a pupil of Little Me School in Barangay Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro and Mae Ann Joy Baclayon of Manticao, Misamis Oriental emerged champions in 8-under boys and girls categories of the national competition.

Janin Crisologo of Villanueva town also made her presence felt by finishing third in 14-under girls level. While Ikera Olandesca, daughter of Little Me School's owners, and Christine delos Reyes settled for 6th and 10th place in their respective age brackets.

Coaches Emmanuel Crisologo and Silverio Abasolo said the top-3 winners in each category will represent the country in the Asean Age-Group Chess Festival tentatively set on December 24-30 in Singapore.

"Looy kaayo ang mga bata didto kay kulang kaayo sa suporta sa eskwelahan lang ‘mi nangatulog. We're just hoping that their accomplishments will serve as a wake-up call for our city and province officials to enhance support for young chess talents in the locality," Crisologo and Abasolo said.

Already, Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno was overheard as saying the Provincial Capitol will evaluate its chess program for the coming events after the well-funded MisOr men's squad skidded to just 13th place overall in the national inter-cities.

"Usik-usik lang sa kuwarta. Maayo pa sa mga bata na lang," the sports-loving Moreno reportedly ranted.

This, as Engr. Isidro Borja of the Cagayan de Oro City Sports Development Program proudly said the city has quite done its part in as far developing young athletes during their formative years.

"Every weekend aduna kitay asset clinics sa siyudad for various sports disciplines aside sa incentives nga gitagana sa mga worthy athletes representing Cagayan de Oro. In fact, usa sa mga nag-adto sa Batangas ato usab nga na-abagan ilang pamasahe," Borja told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.