DEFENDING champion Iloilo Kisela Knights and Caloocan Load Manna Knights continued to lead the way in the 2022 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships following another dominant showing over their respective opponents over the weekend.

Iloilo, bannered by GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and WIM Cherry Ann Mejia, clobbered Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 14.5-6.5, and Rizal Towers, 16-5, to keep their perfect record with 17 straight victories in this 24-team, two-division tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

Antonio, who was named as the “Best Player of the recent All-Filipino Conference”, struck hardest in both blitz and rapid matches as the Leo Sotaridona-managed Kisela Knights. continued to hold sway in the Southern Division.

Overall, the Kisela Knights have now won all their 17 matches, including 11 in the inter-division competition, and remained as the only undefeated team.

Davao Eagles also pulled off back-to-back victories over Cavite Spartans, 12-9, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 14-7, to stay within striking distance at 14-3.

Zamboanga Sultans bested Mindoro Tamaraws, 13-8, and Cavite, 12.5-8.5, to climb into fifth place with 11-6 slate.

Over at the Northern Division, Caloocan swept Cagayan de Oro, 18-3, and Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 14.5-6.5, to maintain their slim lead with a 15-2 win-loss record.

Trailing closely behind are the Pasig Pirates, San Juan Predators, Cagayan Kings, Laguna Heroes and Isabela Knight Raiders, who all swept their weekend assignments.

.Pasig humbled Southern Division heavyweights Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 12-9, and Toledo Trojans, 15.5, to keep second place at 14-3,

San Juan overpowered Toledo, 13.5-7.2, and Camarines-Iriga Oragons, 18.5-2.5, while Cagayan dumped Palawan, 16-5, and Cebu City Machers, 14-7, to stay within striking distance at 12-5.

Laguna downed Camarines-Iriga, 14.5-6.5, and Cagayan de Oro, 13.5-7.5, and Isabela outsteadied Tacloban Vikings 14.5-6.5, and Pagadian, 15-6.

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.

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), led by President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

Standings after 17 rounds:

North
Caloocan 15-2; Pasig 14-3; San Juan 12-5, Cagayan 12-5; Laguna 10-7
Isabela 10-7; Manila 9-8, Cavite 9-8; Ri,ak 6-11; Quezon City 5-12; Mindoro 4-13; Olongapo 1-16.

South
Iloilo 17-0; Davao 14-3; Negros 12-5, Surigao 12-5; Zamboanga 11-6; Toledo 9-8; Camarines-Iriga 7-10; Tacloban 6-11; Cebu 5-12; Palawan 4-13; Cagayan de Oro 3-14; Pagadian 1-16.