CAVITE Spartans outplayed Manila Load Manna Knights, 15-6, and Isabela Knights, 20-1, while San Juan Predators overwhelmed Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18.5-2.5, and Manila, 11.5-9.5, to share the limelight in the 2024 PCAP All-Filipino Conference chess team championships over the weekend.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. swept IM Chito Garma, 3-0, Kylen Joy Mordido outwitted Arvie Lozano, 2.5-.5, and Roel Abelgas humbled Genghis Imperial and Ryan Dungca, 3-0, to lead Cavite’s impressive victory over the erstwhile unbeaten Manila.

Manila struck back on victories by IM Paulo Bersamina, who won over Kevin Arquero, 2-0, and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who blanked Raymond Salcedo and Kevin Mirano.

Manila had little trouble against Isabela with only Mechor Foronda escaping with a draw against Salcedo on board five.

Equally impressive was San Juan, which leaned on the big games of Karl Victor Ochoa, who outclassed Garcia, 3-0; and Narquingel Reyes, who clobbered Jovert Valenzuela, 3-0, to roll back Manila.

The victories by Ochoa and Reyes also cushioned the impact of the losses by GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr., who was ambushed by David Elorta (2.5-.5), WIM Jan Jodiyln Fronda, who fell to Lozano ( 2-1) and IM Ricardo de Guzman, who yielded to Garma ( 2-1).

The Predators of PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella had an easier time gainst the Simba’s Tribe with Barcenilla, Fronda, De Guzman and Randy Segarra leading the way.

Defending champion Pasig Pirates also posted back-to-back victories over Quezon City, 20.5-.5, and Cagayan Kings, 18-3, to move up to fourth place with a 4-2 win-loss record.

GM Mark Paragua, WIM Sherily Cua and IM Cris Ramayrat led the Pirates.

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

The tournament is supported by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.

Games are being played every Wednesday and Saturday.

Standings

Northern Conference
Cavite 5-1, San Juan 5-1; Manila 5-2; Pasig 4-2, Cagayan 3-3, Isabela 3-3; Rizal 2-4; Quezon City 1-5; Olongapo 0-7.

Southern Conference
Toledo 5-1, Camarines 5-1; Davao 4-2, Iloilo 4-2; Surigao 4-3, Tacloban 4-3; Negros 2-4; Mindoro 0-6, Iriga 0-6.