UNHEARD of for so long a time, Xavier University coach Silverio Abasolo finally made a noise in an out-of-town chess campaign with the help of fellow Cagayan de Oro boys Bryan Jose and Rodney Opada.

Playing boards 1, 2 and 3 for Avila Chess Academy, Jose, Abasolo and Opada registered 10 TB1 points to bring home the P40,000 top purse of the Mayor Jojo Palma and lawyer Titing Albaño Tatluhan chess tournament in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, over the weekend.

“If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory,” later said Abasolo, quoting William Hazlitt as he thanked his teammates profusely for the shared glory.

The Cagayan de Oro pawnpushers actually took the far away Zamboanga by storm as Johnnel Balquin and Bobby Salomon played alongside lawyer Cliburn Anthony Orbe for second-placer Team Orbe that got P30,000 for the feat.

“Taking the runner-up honor in a strong event is such an honor. I can’t ask for more,” said the inspired Salomon upon returning home.

Tribu Iliganon of Mardonio Fuentes, Fernandito Pialan and Jefte Crebillo finished in a tie with Team Orbe at 9 TB1 points but lost in the tiebreaker to settle for the P20,000 third prize.

Fourth and fifth placers were Ebon Resto of Koronadal City (Roumando Edades Jr., Levi Martuna, Sonny Pasco) and DLS-Iligan (Victor Bruce Lluch, Carlito Daclan, Al Maghanoy).

Rounding up the top-10 finishers were Pagadian Chess Club, CDO Juniors, MD Chess, Letteh Team A of Zamboanga City and Balangay 23.

“It was a very exciting event. In fact, nakasaka nakaaway sa championship arena ang CDO Juniors (Christian Aquino, Clyde Saraus, Euneil Grant Capilitan) napeldi lang sa last round,” said arbiter Lorenzo `Jun’ Cuizon.