ILOILO Kisela Knights brought down defending champion San Juan Predators, 10.5-10.5, 2-1, in a highly-anticipated battle between two of the leading teams in the 2022 PCAP Third Conference over the weekend.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and former world youth campaigner Karl Victor Ochoa of Iloilo delivered the much-needed victories in their three-game playoffs, beating FM Narquinden Reyes and IM Paulo Bersamina of San Juan in the prestigious competition sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia averted a shutout for the Predators as he won over NM John Michael Silvederio on board one,

Iloilo and San Juan earlier battled to a 10.5-10.5 standoff, with the Kisela Knights winning in blitz, 4.5-2.5, and the Predators dominating in rapid, 8-6.

Antonio bested IM Ricardo de Guzman, 2.5-.5, in the senior board; WFM Cherry Ann Mejia edged WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, 2-1, on female board; NM Fritz Bryan Porras nipped Narquingel Reyes, 2-1, on board five; and Silvederio swept FM Randy Segarra, 3-0, on board seven.

FM Narquinden Reyes was the lone winner for the Hubert Estrella-mentored Predators as he swept NM Rolly Parondo, Jr. of Iloilo in both blitz and rapid chess on board six.

Iloilo also won over inaugural PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, 16-5, behind the victories of Antonio over fellow GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. (2-1), Ochoa over FM Roel Abelgas (3-0), Mejia over Michella Concio (3-0), Porras over Richie Jocson ( 3-0) and Silvederio over AGM Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (3-0).

IM Angelo Young provided the lone bright spot for the Dr. Fred Paez-managed Heroes with a 2-1 victory over NM Cesar Mariano in the senior board.

With the back-to-back victories, Iloilo kept a share of the lead with the Davao Eagles with identical 18-2 win-loss records.

Davao also completed a twin kill by beating Cagayan Kings, 15.5-5.5, and Manila Indios Bravos, 16-5.

Negros Kingsmen outplayed Manila, 17-4, and Laguna, 13-8, to stay within striking distance in third place at 17-3.

Over at the Northern Division, Pasig Pirates overwhelmed Pagadian, 17.5-3.5, and PECA Executives, 18-3, to solidify their hold on the top spot with a 19-1 record.

The Mayor Vico Sotto-supported Pasig team is now two games ahead of San Juan.

Before losing to Iloilo, San Juan demolished PECA Executives, 18.5-2.5.

In other notable results, Toledo Trojans outplayed Cavite Spartans, 11.5-9.5, and Cagayan Kings, 11.5-9.5, to improve to 14-6 win-loss; Isabela Knights of Alexander defeated Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 16-5, and Camarines-Iriga Eagles, 13.5-7.5, to jump to 11-9; Cebu City Machers downed Pasig Juniors, 11.5-9.5, and Olongapo Rainbow, 14.5-6.5, to vault to 9-11; and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe outsteadied Camarines, 16.5-4.5, and Tacloban Vikings, 11-10, to move to 8-12 overall.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is headed by Atty. Paul Elauria as President- Commissioner; and Michael Angelo Chua as Chairman.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman-President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.