THE battle for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth in the Southern Division of the 2021 PCAP San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land chess championships comes to a fitting conclusion Saturday.

Three teams — Mindoro Tamaraws, Cordova Dagami Warriors and Iriga Oragons — will fight for their playoff lives in the prestigious competition organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Of the three, Mindoro (2-6) has the toughest assignment by playing unbeaten Iloilo Kisela Knights (8-0) and Iriga (1-7).

Cordova (2-6) will squate off with Negros Kingsmen (7-1) and Palawan Queen’s Gambits (4-3).

Before playing Mindoro, Iriga is set to meet Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors (6-4).

The other matches, including the much-awaited match between Iloilo and Negros, will be mainly for final placings in the standings

Last Wednesday, Iloilo swept Iriga Oragons, 16-5, and Lapu-Lapu, 15.5-5.5, to remain as the only unbeaten team with eight straight victories.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., NM Cesar Mariano, NM John Michael Silvederio, Fritz Bryan Porras and Mark Jossel Mariano carried the fight for the Kisela Knights over the Naki Warriors.

Sharing the limelight was Palawan, which shocked Toledo Trojans, 10.5-10.5 (2-1).

Camarines also dealt Negros its first defeat with a 3-0 win in their Armageddon playoff after a 10.5-10.5 tie in the regulation.

Ellan Asuela defeated NM Rolzon Roullo, Robert Suelo surprised FM Nelson Mariano III and Virgen Gil Ruaya shocked FM Mari Joseph Turqueza in the playoffs as Camarines improve their record to 5-3.

Negros, on the other hand, dropped to second place with 7-1.

Over at the Northern Division, Laguna Heroes toppled San Juan Predators,12.5-8.5 in the ninth and final round.

FM Austin Jacob Literatus outduelled Narquingel Reyes, 2.5-.5, and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo toppled AGM Gavin Ong, 2.5-.5, to lead the Heroes of PECA president Dr. Fred Paez to a morale-boosting victory.

Laguna also scored heavily on the women’s board as WNM Jean Karen Enriquez and Michella Concio took all three points from San Juan substitute player Shariz Ngo in their blitz and rapid games.

Ngo took the place of WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who was not available to play.

FM Narquingden Reyes and IM Ricardo de Guzman provided the bright moments for San Juan by beating GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. and FM Efren Bagamasbad, respectively.

Overall, San Juan and Laguna finished in a two-way tie for the top spot with identical 8-1 win-loss records.

The Predators, however, still took the top spot with higher total points.

Pasig Pirates, bannered by GMs Roland Salvador and Darwin Laylo, and Manila Indios Bravos, led by IM John Mrvin Miciano and IM Cris Ramayrat, also posted back-to-back victories.