UMAYAN SIBLINGS SPEARHEAD TEAM PHILIPPINES INTO OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT ASEAN AGE GROUP CHESS IN MALAYSIA
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 Dec 2017
THE Umayan siblings-Samantha and Gabriel John of Davao City scored contrasting victories to help Team Philippines bag the overall championship at the conclusion of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Chess Championship in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Sunday night, December 3, 2017.
The 11-year-old Samantha, a grade six pupil of Buhangin Central Elementary School, pocketed three golds in the standard, rapid and blitz team events while securing the silver in the rapid and a bronze in the standard play for the Girls 12 years category to earn the distinction as the top Davaoe?o performer in the tournament.
His eldest brother, Gabriel John, 12, a grade 7 student of Holy Cross of Davao College, delivered two golds in the standard and blitz team events plus bronze medal in the individual of the standard play in the Boys 12 years category.
Gabriel John and Samantha are children of United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Master Vincent Umayan and Merlinda Babol.
"All our sacrifices have paid off," said the 42-years-old father, who topped the blitz chess tournament in Long Island City in New York last November 12, 2017.
New York-based Vincent coached them by solving complex puzzles, different endgames, studying the games of world champions and playing mini blitz matches with them via online almost every night, while Merlinda accompanied the kids in their first international stint.
"I assessed their capability 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," Vincent added.
"Their next tournament is to try to qualify in Asian Youth, Asean Age Group and Asian Schools in 2018," last word of Umayan.
Team Philippines ended the supremacy of Vietnam in the Asean region winning the over-all championships with 83 Golds, 37 Silver and 29 bronze medals.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines vice president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe said the success of the young athletes once again proved chess's lofty record as certified achiever.
"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," said Philippine executive champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe.
Head of delegation is NCFP executive director Red Dumuk and assisted by other officials were International Arbiter James Infiesto, International Master elect Roel Abelgas, National Masters Alex Milagrosa, Wilfredo Neri and Edmundo Gatus and Angelina Mortos.
Team Philippines, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and sent by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under the leadership of Chairman/ President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 20 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Set for Homecoming Versus Kamil Gardzielik
Fri, 20 Jun 2025DUARTE VS. SIMS JR. TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH
Fri, 20 Jun 2025Day Three Finalized at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
Fri, 20 Jun 2025Normel De Jesus rules IIEE Central Luzon Region leg chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 20 Jun 2025Thanongsak Simsri Edges Christian Araneta by Split Decision, Claims IBF 108 World Title; Could Vayson Be Simsri's First Challenger?
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 19 Jun 2025Tokyo Fist: Brian Norman Jr. KOs Jin Sasaki to Retain Welterweight Crown
Thu, 19 Jun 2025Araneta Scores Knockdown But Loses Title Bid to Simsri by Split Decision
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 19 Jun 2025Indiana Must Control Jalen Williams, Challenge at Slot to Extend Series
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 19 Jun 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Intensity Builds as Barrios Warns of Bad Intentions, Potential Future Fights, and Expert Takes Dominate News Cycle
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 19 Jun 2025Tickets On Sale Now for “Night of Champions” July 18 Live on DAZN from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
Thu, 19 Jun 2025Undefeated Boxer Dante Kirkman Makes History as First Pro Fighter to Graduate from Stanford University
Thu, 19 Jun 2025USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Day Two Concludes
Thu, 19 Jun 2025WBC Legends of Boxing Museum reopens on June 22 in Los Angeles
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 18 Jun 2025AFBC Extraordinary Congress declared invalid: Former Board's authority nullified
Wed, 18 Jun 2025