PCAP

Cordova, Iloilo arrange South final duel

July 31, 2021 Ed Andaya 713 views

THERE will be no rematch of the Laguna Heroes-Camarines Eagles final in the PCAP All-Filipino Conference last March.

That’s because the Iloilo Kisela Knights slammed the door on the Camarines Eagles, 10.5-10.5 (1-2), 12.5-8 5 and 2-1 in Armageddon to advance to the final of the South Division of the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships.

Iloilo’s South championship opponent is top seed Cordova Dagami Warriors, who swept the Negros Kingsmen, 13.5-7-5, 12-9, in the other semifinal.

GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan outduelled GM Mark Paragua and Karl Victor Ochoa bested Christian Mark Daluz to secure the much-needed victories in the Kisela Knight’s thee-game playoffs against the Soaring Eagles.

Ellan Asuela averted a shutout for Camarines when he upset GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. at the top board.

The Iloilo-Camarines showdown was clise.

The first of the two-set encounter ended in 10.5-10.5 standoff with the Eagles winning the playoffs, 2-1, on victories by Dalus over Gabuzyan and Asuela over Antonio.

The Kisela Knights struck back with 12.5-8.5 triumph built around victories by Gabuzyan over Paragua, Cherry Ann Mejia over Virgenie Ruaya, Cwaar Mariano over Carlo Lorena and NM John Michael Silvederio over NM Ronald Llavanes.

Cordova relied on GM Nitzan Steinberg, Bernadette Galas and homegrown bets Brylle Arellano, Michael Joseph Pagaran and Allan Pason to eliminate Negros.

Steinberg edged Nelson Mariano III, 2-1; Galas nipped Rowelyn Joy Acedo, 2.5-.5: Arellano toppled IM Joel Pumentel, 2-1; Pagaran downed Rolzon Roullo, 2-1; and Pason humbled Adrian dela Cruz and Junaico Segismar, 3-0.

Steinberg, Merben Roque, Pagaran and Pason produced the rapid victories in the second match to seal the victory for the top-seeded Dagami Warriors over the Kingsmen.

It will be All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes versus San Juan Predators in the North final.

Laguna edged arch-rival Manila Indios Bravos, 12-9, 9-12, and 2-1 in Arnageddon, while San Juan swept Antipolo Cobras, 13-8, 11.5-9.5, to book a rematch of their exciting All-Filipino division final last March.

GM Kiril Shevchenko defeated Deniel Causo and two-time “Battle of GMs” champion Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. overwhelmed Jerome Balico in the first two boards of Armageddon action to clinch the win for the Heroes of PECA president Dr. Fred Paez.

Indonesian import IM Yoseph Taher upset GM John Paul Gomez on board three for Manila’s lone triumph.

PCAP, the first and nonly professional chess league in the country, is organized by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, with GM Wesley So and San Miguel Corporation as the sponsors.

The games are sanctioned b the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra.

Games Saturday:

North/final — San Juan vs. Laguna
South/final — Cordova vs. Iloilo

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