THE Davao City All-Stars will try to defend its title when they face Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental (CDO-MisOr) team during the chess tournament on January 7 at the Tablon Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro City.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director James Infiesto, in a Facebook chat with SunStar Davao, bared that they defeated CDO-MisOr by two points in the team event in 2015. The latter, according to him, are heavy favorites due to their higher average rating.
Infiesto expects a tough competition this year since CDO-MisOr beefed up its roster with three titled players.
"We will do our best to defend our crown," Infiesto said.
Aside from Infiesto, the Davao All Stars is also be composed of national masters (NMs) Alex Lupian and NM Cedric Magno along with Jason Salubre, Henry Lopez, Harrison Maamo, Lyndon Sombilon, Reynaldo QuiƱonez, Jimmy Dano, Rhynan Arce with Engineer Allan Diez and Darwin Bermudez as the team co-captains.
CDO-MisOr, for its part, is bannered by NMs Rustum Tolentino and Levi Mercado, Lennon Hart Salgados, Jhonnel Balquin, Nazario Ubanan, Antonio Chaves Jr., Basilio Pandan Jr., Bryan Jose, Randolph Dalauta, Ismar Irenick Roa Estrella, and Domingo Oga.
The event, organized by Fr. Vic Arellano, aims to showcase Mindanao's best chessers and to also promote the sports.
A cash prize of P24,000 awaits the winner of the duel sponsored by Tablon village, CDO in cooperation with Explore MisOr and Mindanao Chess. (ABM)