UNITED States-based GM Mark Paragua outduelled Spanish GM Viktor Moskalenko in a highly-anticipated encounter as All-Filipino Confernece runner-up Camarines brought down San Juan, 11-10, in the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess tournament late Wednesday.

With Camarines trailing 9-10 after the blitz and rapid matches, Paragua wisely used his experience to beat Moskalenko and save the day for the Soaring Eagles.

Paragua had a 10-second time advantage over the Ukraine-born Moskalenko in the second of their two-game showdown, and that was all he needed to escape with the victory.

Paragua also won over Moskalenko in their blitz encounter.

NM Virgen Gil Ruaya also delivered for Camarines as he shocked GM Oliver Barbosa in rapid play on board five.

Mark Daluz swept Narciso Gumila for Camarines’ other victories.

San Juan struck on victories by WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who outplayed Virgenie Ruaya and Ezraline Alvarez on female board; and IM Ricky de Guzman, who bested Raul Fernandez and NM Carlo Lorena on senior board.

Coupled with their 15.5-5.5 triumph over Antipolo Cobras in the first game of their doubleheader, the Engr. Jojo Buenaventura- managed Soarign Eagles moved into a two-way tie for the top spot with the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors.

Both Camarines and Cordova have identical 12-1 win-loss records in the prestigious 24-team, two-group tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation.

Cordova swept its two matches against the Cagayan Kings, 11.5-9.5, and Caloocan Load Manna Knights, 11.5-9.5.

NM Merben Roque, Allan Pason and PCAP Vice Chairman Ariel Potot provided the victories for Cordova when they defeated IM Paulo Bersamina, IM Barlo Nadera and Paul Sanchez of Caloocan, respectively.

Using his favorite Pirc defense, Potot delivered a powerful counter-attack to Sanchez’s kingside and got the clear advantage after the 28th move in their rapid game.

Iloilo Kisela Knights and Toledo City Trojans also completed a double victory to share third to fourth places with 10-3 slates.

Iloilo routed Cavite Spartans, 18.5-2.5, and Cagayan Kings, 16-5, while Toledo outsteadied Rizal Towers, 14-7, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13.5-7.5.

Over at the Northern Division, San Juan dismantled Zamboanga Sultans, 15.5-5.5, on victories by Barbosa over GM Alexander Fiel, De Guzman over IM Angelo Young, Fronda over Natori Biazza Diaz and Gumila over NM Paulo James Florendo in blitz.

Fiel halved the point with Barbosa and IM Chito Garma split the point with De Guzman in rapid.

Also winning their matches were Manila Indios Bravos over Mindoro Tamaraws (15.5-5.5) and Negros Kingsmen (12.5-8.5); and PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes over Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors (16.5-4.5) and Mindoro ( 15.5-5.5).

Games June 12:

Round 14 — Antipolo vs. Cordova, Caloocan vs. Iloilo, Cagayan vs. Iriga, Cavite vs. Lapu-Lapu, Isabela vs. Mindoro, Laguna vs. Negros, Manila vs. Palawan, Olongapo vs. Surigao, Pasig vs. Toledo, Quezon vs. Zamboanga, Rizal vs. Camarines, San Juan vs. Cebu.

Round 15 — Iloilo vs. Antipolo, Iriga vs. Caloocan, Lapu-Lapu vs. Cagayan, Mindoro vs. Cavite, Negros vs. Isabela, Palawan vs. Laguna, Surigao vs. Manila, Toledo vs. Olongapo, Zamboanga vs. Pasig, Camarines vs. Quezon , Cebu vs. Rizal, Cordova vs. San Juan.