King Pirates' chess Tag Team champs honored by Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto

MANILA, Philippines – In simple rites Thursday afternoon at the Pasig City Hall, Mayor Vico Sotto honored members of its King Pirates chess team for winning the inaugural Tag Team tournament of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines.

The Tag Team tournament featured two players (with an alternative) in a race to eight. 

Emerging triumphant were GM Darwin Laylo, Eric Labog Jr. and IM Cris Ramayrat, who represented the King Pirates.

“We’re really elated to see the success of our team,” enthused the youthful city mayor. “In the middle of the pandemic, we decided to continue our support for the team and our sports program. Iilan lang sports ang pwede nung pandemic and chess was one of them. We want to see more Pasig athletes, more Pasig chess players and we will continue to support them.”

The victorious chess players were awarded a trophy and cash prizes. On hand to present the awards were PCAP Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria and chairman Michael Angelo Chua.

For his part, IM Ramayrat was happy to see his team’s hard work bear fruit.

“Maganda yung nanalo ng Tag Team championship,” said the crafty veteran chess master. “Mas maganda kung makukuha din namin yung PCAP championship.”

The Pasig City Pirates lead the San Miguel-All Filipino Cup field of PCAP with a 30-1 record. They have three more matches left in the elimination round. 

“We’re very optimistic and am happy for their standing in the league,” noted Sotto, who regularly keeps tabs on the King Pirates and is known to be present and actively cheer on his squad during matches. “Hopefully, we can go all the way. Their victories are not just for themselves but for other athletes and people.”

The final elimination round matches of the ongoing PCAP San Miguel-All-Filipino Cup (co-sponsored by Ayala Land and PCWorx) resumes on Saturday, March 19, and on Wednesday, March 23.