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Chessers in contention for rich medal harvest
Filipino chessers Sander Severino, Cheyzer Mendoza and Menandro Redor moved closer to a rich medal harvest after victories in their respective divisions in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games at the Qi-Yuan Chess Hall yesterday......»»
Philippines chessers stay put
The Philippine chess team scheduled to see action in the Eastern Asian Youth Championships that was supposed to start yesterday in Hainan, China was forced to stay home due to visa issues......»»
Lost gem
The Philippines has lost yet another gem after fencing sensation Maxine Esteban underwent naturalization to be eligible to see action for Ivory Coast in major international tournaments. Esteban’s departure is a huge slap in the faces of Filipino sports officials. Aside from being a four-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion for Ateneo de Manila University, Esteban is also an eight-time national titleholder and emerged as No. 16 in the world junior ranking. Her stock soared even higher when she hired legendary Italian mentor, Andrea Magro, who helped her become the No. 62 fencer in the world — the highest ranking ever reached by a Filipino. The way she was performing, the Paris Olympics seemed within reach. But things didn’t go according to plan. Esteban tore her anterior cruciate ligament while representing the country in the World Fencing Championship in July last year. Although it wasn’t really bad, Esteban still spent her own resources to go to Australia for surgery and worked double time to recover, hoping to see action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last month. Eventually, Esteban was given the green light to compete by noted sports surgeon Dr. Edgar Eufemio in December, towing away the massive roadblock for her return to the national team. But for some reason, the Philippine Fencing Association didn’t reinstate her. She was dropped from the national roster. Without a team, Esteban trained and immersed herself in the Ivory Coast — a West African country that is known more for its lovely beaches and world-class cocoa beans than for being a global sports powerhouse. The Ivorians welcomed Esteban with open arms as she spent a lot of time there holding fencing clinics for young children and other outreach projects for the less fortunate. With that, officials of the Ivory Coast fencing federation immediately processed her naturalization papers in a bid to make her their entry to the next Summer Games, after Gbahi-Gwladys Sakoa who competed in the women’s epee event at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. The PFA and the Philippine Olympic Committee released Esteban to Ivory Coast without any resistance, even requesting the International Fencing Federation to waive the three-year waiting period for Esteban so she could immediately compete for her new country in international events that offer ranking points for the Paris Olympics. In a letter to Nathalie Rodriguez, chief executive officer of the world governing body in fencing, PFA president Richard Gomez said they supported Esteban’s decision to join Ivory Coast as they believed in the Olympic spirit that “sports has no nationality.” POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, for his part, said he supported Esteban’s goal of sharing her talent with a country like Ivory Coast. And just like that, Esteban — the country’s former top fencer — is gone. The Philippines’ loss is Ivory Coast’s gain. Esteban’s case is another heartbreaking story of “what could have been” in Philippine sports. We’d seen it before when chess wizard Wesley Go pledged allegiance to the United States after failing to collect his incentives for winning the gold medal in the 2013 Summer Universiade and when golf sensation Yuka Saso opted to carry the colors of Japan for better opportunities. Esteban could have been a national treasure, an elite athlete like Manny Pacquiao or Hidilyn Diaz, given the opportunity to compete in major international events. She is smart, pretty, hard-working, and very talented. She also comes from a well-off family and didn’t mind spending a fortune to get the best training from the world’s best coaches so she could bring honor to the country. But the country failed her. Instead of being repaid for her love and sacrifices for the past 10 years, she was sacked from the national team after suffering an injury while representing the country in a world-class tournament. Is this how we treat our national athletes? Esteban is a gem of an athlete. She will surely shine wherever she goes — even in the vast deserts of Africa. The post Lost gem appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Concio rapid event champion in Asian Juniors
World Cup veteran Michael Concio Jr. came through with one of his most memorable performances to date as he emerged the rapid champion of the Asian Juniors Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay Friday night......»»
Team Cebu chessers log decent finishes in Asian Zonals
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Team Cebu woodpushers logged decent finishes in the recent FIDE Asian Zonals 3.3 Chess Championships at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel. The international chess tournament used a hybrid online chess format, a first in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most Filipino players considered it a blessing in disguise […] The post Team Cebu chessers log decent finishes in Asian Zonals appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Concio joins leaders
Filipino International Master Michael Concio Jr. defeated Malaysian FIDE Master Lye Lik Zang with the black pieces to join compatriot IM Daniel Quizon and Indonesian IM Mohamad Ervan at the helm after four rounds in the Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championship Tuesday. Concio, who was held to a draw in the third round, picked up […] The post Concio joins leaders appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pinay chessers bow out
The Philippines saw its fairy tale run end as it fell to old nemesis Indonesia, 0-2, and bowed out in the women’s division of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup yesterday......»»
Filipina chessers dominate Sri Lankans, enter semis in Asian Nations online tourney
The Philippines crushed Sri Lanka with a pair of 3.5-.5 victories to advance to the semifinals in the women’s section even as its men’s squad was shown the door by second seed Kazakhstan in the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup Friday......»»
Pinay chessers too classy for Lankans in Asian online tilt
By Kristel Satumbaga The Philippines routed Sri Lanka in two matches to advance to the semifinals in the women’s division of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 Friday. Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman International Masters Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Kylen Joy Mordido delivered in the Filipinas’ […].....»»
Fronda to the rescue for Filipina chessers vs Kazakhstan
Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda saved day for the Philippines as it shocked third seed Kazakhstan, 2.5-1.5, in the ninth and final round to advance to the quarterfinals of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup.....»»
PH chessers bring down giants Indians, Kazakhs, clinch No. 2 seeding
By Kristel Satumbaga The Philippines swept all its last three round games including upset victories over top two seeds India and Kazakhstan for the No. 2 seeding in the knockout quarterfinals of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 on Sunday. The Filipinos slew the top-seeded Indians, who were the 2020 FIDE Online Olympiad co-champions […].....»»
Pinay chessers stun Iranians
Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido came through with stirring victories as the Philippines shocked former solo leader Iran, 2.5-1.5, yesterday to seize a share of the lead after six rounds of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup......»»
Pinoy chessers, Iranian foes fight for lead
After breezing past its first three opponents, the Philippine men’s team faces an acid test versus Iran at the resumption of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 today......»»
Pinoy chessers show way
The Philippines swept all its first three games to seize the solo lead in the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup Saturday......»»
GM Antonio wins Asian Seniors +50 Championship
Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. pocketed the top honors in the Asian Seniors +50 Championship 2020 (Final) at chess.com......»»
Antonio outwits em ’all, bags Asian Srs. crown
The Philippines’ Joey Antonio showed his mastery of “online chess” as he blew away the competition to crown himself champion of the First Asian Seniors Championship Tuesday night......»»
Online chess Ironman rules Asian Seniors tiff
The Philippines' Joey Antonio showed his mastery of “online chess” as he blew away the competition to crown himself champion of the First Asian Seniors Championship Tuesday night......»»
NCAA open to adding more sports for Season 96
The NCAA is considering to add more sports aside from the four mandatory events for Season 96. Sports that require minimal player-to-player contact could be included in the sports calendar of the shortened season set to tentatively open March 2021 according to Management Committee (ManCom) chairman Fr. Vic Calvo, OP of host Letran. The oldest collegiate league in the country earlier announced that only the four mandatory sports basketball, volleyball, swimming and track and field will be played in the coming season. However, Calvo mentioned the depending on the situation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, other sports might be added. “Hindi naman tayo talaga naka-fix but we are fluid. We are on observing kung ano yung situation and we will fit in that situation para matuloy ‘yung NCAA,” said the ManCom chairman on Tuesday on the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. Sports like tennis, chess, badminton, table tennis, and e-sports might be included. “Actually, marami pa sa mga schools ang nag-maintain ng other events. Kaya for example yung basic rule na kapag sa isang tournament like lawn tennis, medyo individual sport yan except sa doubles. Kapag merong apat na schools (na may team) they can organize, look for the budget, sponsorship,” said Calvo. The Letran official specifically mentioned the possible consideration of online chess and esports, both of which have come in handy during this time of pandemic. He said Mobile Legends is one of the online sports being deliberated by the collegiate league, citing how the country even won a gold medal in the event when e-sports made its debut in the last Southeast Asian Games. “Sa SEA Games ginawa na natin ito. Nag-champion naman tayo, so why not do this especially in this time of the pandemic,” stressed Calvo in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and powered by Smart. As for the other sports, Calvo said it can be held by staging lesser events like doing away with the relays in swimming and track and field, or not having doubles in both lawn tennis and badminton. Track and field and tennis were among the sports affected when the NCAA decided to totally cancel the second semester events of Season 95 following the outbreak of the coronavirus. “Naka-apekto yun (COVID-19) sa Season 95 because we’re not able to finish its calendar. At may ilang events that were scheduled to be held like beach volleyball track and field, cheerleading, while indoor volleyball and lawn tennis were not able to complete their tournaments,” said Cayco. With the failure to stage other sporting events, the NCAA also decided not to hand out a general championship since schools within the top three of the standings are all closely clustered together at the top. “Kasi yung 1-2-3 spots are up for grabs. So we decided not to award a general championship,” added Cayco, also president of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc (LVPI). “So everything is now on Father Vic’s lap.” Calvo said it hasn’t been discussed yet within the ManCom whether a general championship will be given in the coming shortened season. “Hindi pa siya na-discuss. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” added the long-time Letran athletic director. “Premature pa as of now.” Besides, more events could be added to Season 96 calendar once the health situation starts to get better in the coming months. “Depende sa sitwasyon, eh. We don’t know what will happen between now and March 2021,” said Calvo......»»
Canino claims women’s chess crown
Ruelle Canino, the 16-year-old chess wonder, shook the current order and slew some of the country’s giants of the game in conquering the National Women’s Chess Championship in Malolos, Bulacan over the weekend......»»
Canino is Olympiad bound
It was sealed by an 83-move draw with Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia of a Sicilian in the 10th and penultimate round of the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship at the Malolos City Hall in Bulacan......»»