Pacquiao, Vis-Min squad down Luzon-NCR in online chess fundraiser

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Team Visayas-Mindanao, with Senator Manny Pacquiao included in their roster, completed a sweep against the chess masters of Luzon-NCR in the first Helping Hand Executive Online Chess Challenge at Lichess.

The Online Chess Challenge is a fundraising event aimed to help the less fortunate chess players from all over the Philippines that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event raised over 300,000 pesos with the beneficiaries to be identified by the organizers.

The Vis-Min team was composed of Pagadian’s Jezreel Lopez, Isabela’s Eduard Sumergido, Basilan’s Jose Barba Jr., Ariel Nino Aton, National Master Jonathan Ta, National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, and Sen. Pacquaio.

On the other hand, team Luzon-NCR was bannered by Pampanga’s Mark Anthony Yabut who emerged to be their top scorer, Engr. Robert Arellano, Dandel Fernandez, Emmanuel Asi, and Leonard Raymond Reyes.

Due to commitments and other responsibilities, Sen. Koko Pimentel who was bound to play for Luzon-NCR did not make it.