The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Pasig City King Pirates have always been one of the best teams in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) since 2021.
Winning a third straight PCAP championship is not a surprise anymore, especially to the team’s No. 1 supporter, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
Now, Sotto hopes the success of the Pasig Pirates will continue all year long and trickle down to grassroots level.
“We’re extremely happy for the success of our Pasig City King Pirates and winning their third straight PCAP title. All the credit goes to the players and the coaching staff, headed by Coach Franco Camillo,” said Mayor Sotto during his special appearance at “Sports on Air” last Thursday.
“Hindi mahirap suportahan ang kagaya nila dahil nakikita naman namin sa LGU kung gaano sila kasipag, gaano ka-dedicated at gaano ka-competitive sa mga chess tournaments ng PCAP, ”added Sotto.
He also said the Pasig King Pirates will be honored during the 450th founding anniversary celebrations of Pasig on July 2.
“It’s a year-long celebration para dito sa amin sa Pasig. Madaming aktibidades at malalaking celebration hanggang December.”
A leading sports advocate himself, Sotto believes the success of the Pasig Pirates will encourage more young and talented players to take up the sport,
“Yun po talaga ang gusto namin. Yun mabigyan ng inspirasyon ang mga kabataan at mas lalong dumami ang naglalaro ng chess. Gusto namin sumikat ang chess sa Pasig at makilala din ang Pasig sa chess,” explained the 33-year-old Sotto, who was voted to a second term as Mayor by a huge margin during the May 2022 elections.
Sotto also lauded the PCAP, headed by president Atty. Paul Elauria and chairman Michael Angelo Chua for doing a good job in promoting chess developments.
“Congratulations to PCAP. Talagang malaki ang nagagawa nila sa promotion ng professional chess. Kaya naman kami dito sa Pasig, laging nakahandang suportahan ang PCAP, gaya nung nakalipas na PCAP Chess Festival na ginanap dito sa Pasig.”
Sotto also takes pride in the achievements of Pasig in other sports.
“Actually, hindi lang chess ang pinagtutuunan namin ng pansin dito sa Pasig. Top priority talaga namin ang sports,” explained Sotto.
“Holistic ang grassroot sports program namin. Madami kaming sports. Kahit nga nung kasagsagan ng pandemic, hindi kami tumigil sa mga training. Nun panahon na bawal ang face to face, sa zoom tuloy-tuloy ang training ng mga atleta namin.”
“At kung maiya-yabang ko lang kahit ng konti, nag No. 2 overall kami behind Baguio City sa nakaraang Batang Pinoy. Sa Palarong NCR, nag No. 2 kami sa elementary division behind only Quezon at No 2 din kami sa high school behind only Manila. Kinakapos lang dahil nagkulang yata ng one gold medal. Pero sa tingin ko, magandang resulta na mga yan.”
Added Sotto: “Ang dahilan kaya tayo nag i-invest sa sports ay dahil naniniwala tayong maganda ito para sa kalusugan ng mga kabataaan. Maganda ito sa discipline, team work at character building. Whether basketball, chess, badminton, gymnastics or iba pang sports, lahat yan napakaganda. Pati sa peace and order, maganda din ang sports dahil nalalayo sa mga bisyo ang mga kabataan.”
Asked about his plans to promote more sports activities in Pasig, Sotto assured his all-out support.
“Our next step is to come up with an even better and long-term program. We want to improve our sports facilities, get new and modern equipment and provide training for our athletes and coaches.”
Joining Sotto during the one-and-a-half hour long program were Pasig City Sports Director Rechie Tugawin, Atty. Elauria, Camillo, IMs Idelfonso Datu and Eric Labog and Jerry Nodalo.