Davao City's young chess talent, Samantha Babol Umayan, has taken a significant stride towards earning a coveted spot on the Philippine women's national chess team. The 18-year-old Woman National Master clinched second place in the crucial pre-finals of the PSC–NCFP Selection National Chess Championship, held at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) in Quezon City on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
A Strong Finish for the Dabawenya
Umayan, a BS Psychology sophomore at Far Eastern University (FEU), concluded the intense six-round tournament with five points. Her impressive performance was only bested by her FEU teammate, LJ Getubig, who won the women's division with 5.5 points. Completing an FEU-dominated podium was another Getubig sister, Lyn, who secured third place with 3.5 points.
This pre-final stage was a critical qualifier for the tournament's grand finals. The top three finishers from the pre-finals have advanced to the next and decisive phase, scheduled for January 21, 2026. In the grand finals, the ultimate top three players will be selected to represent the country as part of the national squad.
The Road to the Podium
In an interview with SunStar Davao, Umayan from Buhangin detailed her path to the silver medal. She started strong with consecutive victories before facing her sole defeat against the eventual champion, LJ Getubig, in the third round. Demonstrating resilience, Umayan bounced back with three straight wins to solidify her second-place standing, which was decided on tiebreaks.
She highlighted her first-round match against Joyce Rianna Rueda of Pampanga as her most challenging encounter. "I was already losing, down in material, but she made a mistake near the end because of time pressure, which allowed me to save the game," Umayan recounted. Her loss to Getubig also served as a tough lesson, where she acknowledged her opponent's sustained advantage from the start.
Eyes on the National Team Prize
For Umayan, the ultimate goal has always been clear: to wear the national team colors. "Yes, making the national team is really my goal because it comes with so many benefits and, above all, the honor of representing the country," she emphasized. She described it as a milestone that every Filipino chess player dreams of achieving.
With the grand finals just around the corner, the Davao native remains intensely focused. Her second-place finish in the pre-finals has kept her bid alive, but the final hurdle awaits on January 21. Umayan's journey underscores the rising talent from Mindanao and the competitive spirit within the FEU chess program, as they aim to secure national team slots in the upcoming finals.
