CAMARINES-Iriga City Soaring Eagles are doing it all over again.

Led by Samson Lim and NM Ronald Llavanes, Camarines-Iriga racked up two more victories against Cebu Machers, 18-3, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 14.5-6.5, to extend their perfect record in the Southern Division of the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference over the weekend.

Lim swept Aldwin Daculan of Cebu, 3-0, and FM Julius Joseph de Ramos of Mindoro, 2-1, while Llavanes outplayed Reynaldo Flores of Cebu, 3-0, drew with AGM Nezil Arj Merilles of Mindoro, 2.5-2.5, to lead the Eagles to their fifth straight win in this prestigious competition organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).

Also scoring for Camarines-Iriga were Coellier Graspela, who bested Aril Potot of Cebu, 3-0, and Alvin de la Curz of Mindoro, 2-1; Isabel Palobin, who downed Judy Ann Mesias of Cebu, 3-0, and AFM Cylliz Kaessa Meriles, 2.5-.5, on the female board; Recarte Tiauzon, who crushed Randy Cabungcal of Cebu, 3-0, and NM Glenen Artuz, who nipped AGM Joselito Asi, 2.5-.5.

The twin victories by Camarines-Iriga followed earlier victories over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 11-10, in the first round last Feb. 18; and Zamboanga Sultans, 10.5-105 (2-1 in Armageddon) in the second round, and Tacloban Vikings, 14.5-6.5, in the third round last Feb. 12.

The Eagles’ 5-0 start mirrored their strong showing in the 2021 PCAP All-Filipino where the GM Mark Paragua-led team started 7-0 on the way to winning the Southern Divisiion crown and a title duel with eventual champion Laguna Heroes.

“We’re happy with the tem’s perfomance right now. Sana magruloy-tuloy na uli ito,” said Engr. Jojo Buenaventura, who co-owns the team with Fiscal Robert Jocom.

Sharing the limelight with Camarines in this tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx are Negros Kingsmen and Toledo Trojans, who also have five wins in as many matches.

Negros outplayed Iloilo Kisela Knights, 15-6, and Zambonga Sultans,17-4, while Toledo toppled Davao Eagles, 11.5-9.5, and Iloilo Kisela Knights, 14-7, to share the lead with Camarines.

Leading the way for Negros were FM David Elorta, NM Edsel Montoya, WIM Bernadette Galas and GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr, who dominated their respective Iloilo and Zamboanga rivals.

Toledo, on the other hand, rode on the strong games of Bon Rainauld Tibod, who crushed NM Dale Bernardo, 3-0; WIM Beverly Mendoza, who downed Mary Jonah Lequin, 3-0; and IM Rico Mascarinas, who overpowered IM Alexander Lupian, 2-1.

Last Wednesday, Negros routed Mindoro Tamaraws, 17-4, in the second round, and Davao Eagles, 15-6, in the third round; and Toledo whipped Cebu Machers, 17-4, and Mindoro, 19-2.

In other notable results, Tacloban Vikings edged Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 11-10, and Cebu City Machers, 13-8.

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

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

Standings

North — Laguna 5-0; San Juan 4-1; Cagayan 3-2, Pasig 3-2; Mandaluyong 2-3,
Cavite 2-3, Isabela 2-3, Manila 2-3,
Rizal 2-3; Quezon City 0-5.

South — Negros 5-0, Toledo 5-0, Camarines-Iriga 5-0; Iloilo 32; Davao 2-3, Surigao 23,Tacloban 2-3; Zamboanga 1-4;
Cebu 0-5, Mindoro 0-5.