TOP foreign players are expected to dominate action in the coming Professional Chess Association of the Philippines-GM Wesley So Cup chess team championship next month.

But GM Mark Paragua is not worried.

In fact, Paragua believes the Filipino players can more than hold their own against these foreign imports in the prestigious 24-team competition starting May 15.

“I thought the Filipino players have already shown what we can do whether it’s over-the-board or online chess competitions,” said Paragua during the “Usapang Sports on Air” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom recently.

“Siguradong bibigyan natin sila ng magandang laban,” added Paragua, who will again lead PCAP All-Filipino runner-up Camarines Soaring Eagles in the keenly-awaited team competition organized by PCAP and sponsored by GM Wesley So.

The New York City-based Filipino champion also said his team is still negotiating for their foreign import.

“Pero siyemre, aasahan pa din namin ang kontribusyon ng mga teammates ko pagdating sa laban,” Paragua told editors and reporters during the weekly public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

The 37-year-old Paragua said he was satisfied with the performance of the team in the recent PCAP All-Filipino tournament, winning the title in the Southern Conference but losing the overall championship to Northern Conference titlist Laguna Heroes.

“Madaming naging challenges din sa team, especially in the second part of the tournament. Nagkaroon din ng mga hindi maiiwasang problema sa internet connection,” recaled Paragua, who became the first Filipino to reach 2600 FIDE after he finished co-champion in the Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championships in September 2005.

“Personally, I also made a lot of adjustments in my sleeping habits dahil iba nga yun oras dito sa New York. I have to wake up early and prepare early for my games.”

Asked about the coming PCAP All-Star Game scheduled on May 2, Paragua vowed to do his best to help his team.

“As you can see sa line-up ng dalawang teams, mas malakas talaga yung North All Stars kesa sa team namin na South All Stars,” said Paragua, who emerged as one of the top vote-getters in the unique competition also supported by San Miguel Corporation.

“Mas madaming GMs ang maglalaro sa North, gaya nina GM Eugene (Torre), GM Banjo (Barcenilla), GM Ino (Sadorra), GM Darwin (Laylo), GM Oliver (Barbosa), GM Roland (Salvador) at GM John Paul (Gomez). Mas lamang talaga sila.”

Aside from Paragua, the only other GM in the South All Stars is GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. of Iloilo Kisela Knights.

Joining Paragua and Antonio are IM Chito Garma of Zamboanag Sultans and Nelson Mariano of Negros Kinsmen and Paragua’s Camarines teammates Ellan Asuela, Carlo Lorena and Ronald Llavanes.