Thursday, February 21, 2008 Age doesn't matter for Vintage CDO men
THEY just have all the reasons to celebrate.
The five of them -- Cleto "Bong" Vasquez, Mario "Bebot" Arroyo, Gereson Solidum, Jimmy Abarrientos and Pastor Canlas -- have considered themselves as already past their prime. And to add salt to injury, rivals from the new generation -- who are young enough to be called their grandsons -- would even dare to rule them out as serious threat in the 64-square-board battle. But proving it as a big mistake is a thing that they just did.
Playing with a big fighting heart and indomitable spirit, the so-called ageless warriors in local chess community were soundly vindicated in the just concluded first Juanita Tan Memorial Chess Team Challenge at the Capitol building.
They may not run away with the championship, but their third-place finish in the 25-team field is quite enough to command respect among the unbelievers.
"Actually, we did not expect nga makasulod pa `mi sa top-three considering sa field nga kusog unya mga bata pa gyod ang kontra. I think, we deserve to have this kind of just a simple celebration," said Arroyo, who along with the rest of the Vintage CDO cast, had gamely threw a sumptuous dinner at Bagong Lipunan Restaurant last Tuesday.
It was just the first comeback trail of Arroyo but he fared well on board 2 with 5.5 points performance in seven rounds.
Manning the top board, Vasquez also delivered the same output. He was surprised by the 14-year-old Lennon Hart Salgados of A_Sports Knights in the opening round, but Vasquez was able to compensate it by capping the two-day chessfest with a victory over the heavily-favored Johnnel Balquin of Vocha Trading.
In crucial matches, Solidum proved to be a force to reckon with on board 3, as well as Abarrientos (yes, the former Talisayan mayor) who copped the gold medal on board 4 with a spectacular 6 of 6 showing.
"Kombate pa kini sila bisan edaran na kay nagpabilin nga hait pa ang panabot sa chess unya mga fighter gihapon," said Fide arbiter Domingo Oga Jr. who even suggested to arrange a commercial match between Vintage CDO and eventual champion Balingasag in the near future.
"Wala namo naabot ang Balingasag adto nga tournament so, it's very interesting kon amo silang madula with the same players on each side," said Arroyo.
Completely unfazed, his fellow veterans could only nod their heads in approval.
