15-0
CATCH them if you can.
Toledo Trojans made it 15 wins in a row in the 2024 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess team championships over the weekend.
GM Aleksey Sorokin of Russia and GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. led the way as the Trojans humbled Cavite Spartans, 14-7, and Manila Load Manna Knights, 14-7, to extend their unbelievable winning streak to 15 games in the two-division, 16-team tournament being held in honor of GM Wesley So.
Sorokin clobbered Marc Paraguya of Cavite, 3-0, and David Elorta of Manila, 3-0, on board one while Antonio outsteadied Homer Cunanan of Cavite, 2-1, and IM Chito Garma, 3-0, of Manila on the senior board to power the Trojans to another back-to-back victories.
Veteran Kim Steven Yap provided strong support for the Trojans as he demolished Jayson Visca of Cavitee, 3-0, and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, 3-0.
Backing them up are WIM Cherry Ann Mejia, who overwhelmed Anabelle Gonzales of Cavite, 3-0, on the female board; and Virgen Gil Ruaya, who bested Lourecel Ecot, 2-1.
The twin victories also enabled Toledo to take a commanding five-point lead over Camarines Eagles in the Southern Conference standings.
“We’re really very happy with the performance of our team. The players are really working very hard,” said Toledo team owner Atty. Jeah Gacang in an interview with People’s Tonight.
“I hope the team will conitnue to play well in the coming rounds,” added Toledo, who was recently honored by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) for her contributions to the continued popularity of chess.
Up next for Toledo are unpredictable Bacolod Blitzers and Camarines Eagles.
Two-time champion San Juan Predators humbled Bacolod Blitzers, 11.5-9.5, and Pasig Grassroots Knights, 21-0, to gain a share of the lead with defending champion Pasig Pirates with identical.13-2 win-loss record in the Northern Conference.
Leading San Juan’s charge are two-time Asian Juniors champion GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr, former World Youth campaigner Victor Ochoa, Marie Antoinette San Diego and GM Viktor Moskalenko
The United States-based Barcenilla swept Edwin Tan of Bacolod, and Ochoa blanked Danmaersk Mangao, both with 3-0 scores.
The Pirates crushed Knights, 19-2, but lost to the Eagles,10-11, the following round.
Before losing to Toledo, Manila outwitted Camarines, 13.5-7.5, to keep third place in the North with 11-4 win-loss slate.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty.Paul Elauria and Chaiman Michael Angelo Chua.
The prestigious event is sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Standings:
North — San Juan 13-2, Pasig 13-2; Manila 11-4; Cagayan 9-6; Cavite 8-7; Isabela 5-10; Quezon City 4 11; Rizal 2-13.
South — Toledo 15-0; Camarines 10-5; Iloilo 9-6; Davao 8-7; Bacolod 7-8, Iriga 4-11; Mindoro 2-13; Pasig Grassroots 0-15