DEFENDING champion Iloilo Kisela Knights made it three wins in a row, even as Pasig Pirates upset two-time winner San Juan Predators in the 2022 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships.

The Kisela Knights pulled off back-to-back victories over Davao Eagles, 14.5-6.5, and Zamboanga Sultans, 17-4, to take the early lead with a 3-0 record in the Southern Division.

Iloilo, which debuted with a smashing 21-0 win over newcomer Pagadian Costbusters last weekend, pounced on the absence of GM Darwin Laylo to beat Davao in the early battle of favorites.

GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia defeated FM Sander Severino in both blitz and rapid games on board one to lead the Kisela Knights’ triumph.

Severino took the place of Laylo, who failed to suit up for Davao due to internet connections in Vietnam.

Laylo, who was acquired by Davao during the off-season, is currently in Vietnam to accompany IMs Paulo Bersamina and Daniel Quizon in the Hanoi GM tournament.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr.and NM Rolly Parondo Jr. provided ample suport to Gabuzyan.

NM Alexander Lupian, AGM Rowelyn Joy Acedo, NM Jonathan Tan and NM Aglipay Oberio carried the fight for the Eagles,who are hoping to improve their fourth-place finish in the PCAP All-Filipino Conference last April.

Davao, however, redeemed itself with a 21-0 drubbing of Pagadian later in the evening.

.Over in the Northern Division, Pasig fashioned out a vengeful 13.5-7.5 win over San Juan

IM Ildefonso Datu ably filled up the shoes of GM Kevin Goh of Singapore in board one as he as he swept IM Rolando Nolte and claimed all three points in their battles.

GM Mark Paragua defeated FM Nelson Mariano III, IM Cris Ramayrat toppled GM Viktor Moskalenko, and WIM Sherily Cua subdued Mary Segarra to secure the victory for the Pirates.

Pasig completed a twin kill by humbling 2021 PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, 14.5-6.5.

The Pirates debuted with a 16.5-4.5 triumph over Olongapo Rainbow last May 21.

San Juan bounced back with a 12-8 decision over Olongapo for a 2-1 record.

The Predators outclassed Mindoro Tamaraws,15-6, in their initial assignment.

Sharing the limelight were Caloocan Load Manna Knights, who subdued Cavite Spartans,11.5-9.5, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 16.5-4.5, and Cagayan Kings, who outsteadied Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13-8, and Cavite Spartans, 14.5-6..5, for 3-0 records in the Northern Division.

Rizal Towers split their matches, winning over Manila Indios Bravos, 12-9, but losing to Isabela Knight Raiders, 10-11.

Manila shrugged off the loss to Manila by downing Quezon City, 16-5.

In other results, Toledo Trojans swept Cagayan de Oro, 15.5-5.5, and Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 11.5-9-5; Negros Kingsmen whipped Cebu Matchers, 14-7,and Tacloban Vikings 20-1; and Camarines-Iriga Oragons bested Pagadian Costbusters 16-5, and Cagayan de Oro, 18-3.

The tournament, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), headed by Atty, Paul Elauria as president, Michael Angelo Chua as chairman and Ariel Potot as vice-chairman; and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay. By Ed Andaya