02/11/2025
The Royal Knight Wizards
Team Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, is likely the most successful Local Government Unit (LGU) in the chess events of the PSC Batang Pinoy 2025 national competition, held in Gen. Santos City.
With a deep pool of talented and aspiring chessplayers guided by head coach WIM-elect Shania Mae Mendoza, and NA Ericson Puso,Team Sta. Rosa City is a true powerhouse.
This story, however, is different and is one that will make the city truly proud. The city fielded a team of just three young players in the 12-and-under category, instead of the required four (two boys and two girls). This meant they started the competition with a one-point deficit before a single game was even played.
Undeterred by being undermanned, Don Lester Abundo, James Matthew Belen, and Eiliyah Ayaan Lim, the lone girl on the team, displayed a fierce "win or go home" mentality to defy the odds.
A miracle then unfolded in the final stretch. Abundo scored 9.5 out of 12 points across the Rapid and Blitz events, Belen tallied 10 out of 12, and Ayaan delivered a stunning 11 out of 12, finishing undefeated in the Blitz tournament.
Against the odds, the trio accomplished a mission many would deem impossible. Competing short-handed in a rigorous national event with a deep field of participants, they clinched Gold and Silver medals, securing a remarkably sweet and wonderful victory for Team Sta. Rosa City at the Batang Pinoy GenSan 2025.