THE semifinal round cast in both the Northern and Southern Divisions of the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference is complete.

All the top teams, led by top seed Leguna Heroes and defending champion San Juan Predators, safely made it to the semis following impressive victories against their lower-rated quarterfinal opponents last Wednesday.

Laguna, bannered by GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr.and WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego, defeated No. 8 Rizal Towers in two matches,18.5-2.5 and 16-5, to arrange a semifinal duel with No. 4 Mandaluyong Tigers, who subdued Manila Indios Bravos, 10.5-10.5, 16-5 (3-0 in Armageddon).
Laguna, which is being handled by PECA president Dr. Fred Paez, is seeking its second All-Filipino crown in three years.

San Juan, led by IM Paulo Bersamina and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda , whipped No. 7 Cagayan Kings, 18.5-2.5 and 18-3, to set up a rematch with No. 3 Pasig Pirates, 15-6, 13.5-7.5 winner over No. 6 Cavite Spartans.

Over in the South, No. 1Negros Kingsmen of GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and WIM Bernadette Galas, outsteadied No. 8 Mindoro Tamaraws, 15-6, 16-5,

Negros’ semifinal opponents are No. 4 Iloilo Kisela Knights,who survived No. 5 Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 9-12, 11-10 (2-1 in armageddon).

No. 2 Davao Eagles of FM Sander Severino and WNM Jean Karen Enriquez also made it to the semis with a 16.5-4.5 and 16-5 victory over No. 7 Zamboanga Sultans.

The only casualty were No. 3 seed Toledo Trojans, who fell in ambush to No. 6 seed Camarines-Iriga Eagles.9-12, 11-10 ( 2-1 in Armageddon).

The North and South semifinal round is set to kick off on Saturday, April 22 starting at 7 p.m.

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.

Semifinal pairings:

North — 1. Laguna vs. 4. Mandaluyong; 2. San Juan vs. 3. Pasig.
South — 1. Negros vs. 4. Iloilo; 2. Davao vs. 6. Camarines-Iriga.