THE rematch between Grandmasters Eugene Torre and Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. will take place in Quezon City in March, 2008.
The city government through fourth district councilor and majority floor leader Ariel Inton is helping the organizers in raising the pot money for the highly anticipated duel between the country's chess legends.
"We take pride that both Eugene and Joey are longtime residents of Quezon City," said Inton.
They're no ordinary residents. Both are recipient of the city's Most Outstanding Citizen award.
Inton believes the rematch will be followed not only by chess enthusiasts in the Philippines but throughout the world.
"They (Torre and Antonio) have international following," Inton noted. "This will jumpstart our program of lifting the city through sports tourism."
The sports tourism program is a brainchild of Inton himself that aims to promote Quezon City as the country's sports capital.
The Torre-Antonio II will be a 12-game series with the winner getting P800,000 and the loser going home with P400,000.
New San Jose Builders, Inc. president Jerry Acuzar, the sponsor of the first Torre-Antonio match 10 years ago, also vowed to support the rematch.
"I called up Jerry (Acuzar) and he said he'll help," related Inton. "I will also recommend this event to Mayor SB (Sonny Belmonte)."
Last year, Inton and Quezon City hosted the one-on-one match between money game experts Dennis Orcollo and Yang Ching-shun.
Inton's sports tourism program has a busy schedule this year. Quezon City will also host the exhibition match between World Pool Championship winner Daryl Peach of England and runner-up Roberto Gomez. Also lined up in program are women's basketball tournaments, QC inter-barangay chess events, among others.
Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
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