UNSTOPPABLE.

Laguna Heroes continued to assert their class by hurdling two more heavyweight rivals in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference over the weekend.

The Heroes, who are gunning for their second All-Filipino crowns in three years, subdued Mandaluyong Tigers, 11.5-9.5 and Manila Indios Bravos, 11-10, to solidify their hold on the solo lead in both the Northern and Southern Divisions with 24-1 win-loss record.

IM Michael Concio defeated Narciso Gumila, 2-1; FM Dino Ballecer whitewashed Paul Sanchez, 3-0; and AGM Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo whipped Ricardo Jimenez, 3-0; to power the Dr. Fred Paez-managed Heroes to victory over the Pirates.

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. battled GM Darwin Laylo to a 1.5-1.5 draw in an all-GM encounter.

NM Michael Gotel surprised IM Daniel Quizon, 2-1, AFM Melizah Carreon shocked WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego, 3-0, and NM Rolando Yutuc toppled IM Angelo Young, 2-1, for Mandaluyong’s three victories.

Laguna also survived a scare against Manila, with Quizon beating NM Rolando Andador, 2.5-.5; Concio sweeping CM Jovert Valenzuela, 3-0;

Ballecer edging Jhulo Goloran, 2-1; and Lorenzo overcoming NM Edgardo Garma, 2-1.

Manila struck on victories in the top board matches, with IM Ronald Dableo beating Barcenilla, 2-1; WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales downing WFM Shania Mae Mendoza, 2-1; and IM Chito Garma stopping Young, 3-0.

The twin victories by Laguna mirrored the Heroes’ success last Wednesday when they also posted back-to-back victories over heavyweights Pasig Pirates, 11.5-9.5, and San Juan Predators, 11-10.

Defending champion San Juan Predators bounced back from last Wednesday’s setback to Laguna with back-to-back victories over Manila, 14-7, and Cagayan Kings, 16.5-4.5.

Karl Viktor Ochoa, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Paulo Bersamina and Narquingel Reyes led San Juan’s bounce-back victory over Manila to keep solo second place with 23-2 win-loss slate.

Ochoa humbled Dableo, 2-1; Fronda blanked Bernales, 3-0; Bersamina clobbetred Valenzuela, 3-0; and Reyes downed Goloran.

San Juan also won handily over Cagayan with Ochoa, Bersamina, Fronda, Jan Emmanuel Garcia and IM Ricardo de Guzman providing the much-needed victories over their lower-ranked opponents.

Over at the South, Negros Kingsmen blasted Zamboanga Sultans, 16-5, and Toledo Trojans, 15.-5.5, for a 23-2 slate.

Mindoro Tamaraws also made a big surprise by sweeping Camarines-Iriga Eagles, 12.5-8.5, and Tacloban Vikings, 16-5.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is organized by Atty. Paul Elauria as president and Michael Angelo Chua as chairman, and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

The prestigious 20-team, two-division 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 Chairman/ President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.