Ni Gilbert Espeña
PINANGUNAHAN ng magkapatid na Umayan na sina Samantha at Gabriel John ang paghatid sa Team Philippines sa overall championship sa pagtatapos ng 18th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship nitong Linggo sa Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Nagtamo ang 11-year-old na si Samantha ng three gold medals mula sa standard, rapid at blitz team events kasama na ang silver sa rapid at bronze sa standard play sa Girls 12 years category para makopo ang parangal bilang top performer sa torneo.
Ang kanyang nakakatandang kapatid na si Gabriel John, 12, ay nagdeliver ng two gold medals mula sa standard at blitz team events kasama na ang bronze medal sa individual ng standard play sa Boys 12 years category.
6 koponan nagbabalak ligwakin ang PVL; lilipat daw sa bagong liga?
Sina Gabriel John at Samantha ay anak nina United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Master Vincent Umayan at Merlinda Babol.
“All our sacrifices have paid off,” sabi ng 42-years-old na amang si Vincent sariwa pa sa kampeonato sa blitz chess tournament sa Long Island City sa New York nitong Nobyembre 12, 2017.
“I assessed their capabilty to win medals for the country in the ASEAN Age Group as very high because they were really giving their best and showed grit and determination even in our 2 to 3 hours practice sessions,” sabi ni Vincent. “Their next tournament is to try to qualify in Asian Youth, Asean Age Group and Asian Schools in 2018.”
Tinapos ng Team Philippines ang supremacy ng Vietnam sa ASEAN region nang kunin ang over-all championships na may 83 golds, 37 silver at 29 bronze medals.
Ayon kay National Chess Federation of the Philippines vice president Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe ang tagumpay ng young athletes ay nagpapatunay na certified achiever ang mga bata sa kanilang murang edad.
“Today our kids dominate ASEAN Chess, but I believe that we can excel even in the world stage. As our kids reap success in the ASEAN theatre, it is time for us parents and leaders to dream bigger dreams. My dream is for the Philippines to be as strong as China and India in chess. Together we can make it happen,” sambit ni Orbe.
