THERE will be a new champion in the PCAP (Professional Chess Association of the Philippines) this year.

Manila Load Manna Knights brought down trwo-tiem champion San Juan Predators, 15-6, 11-10, in the Northenr Conference, while Toledo Trojans bested Camarines Eagles, 10.5-10.5, 8-13, 2-1 in Armangeddon, in the Southern Conference to arrange a title showdown in the 2024 PCAP All-Filipino Conference.

The victories by the Load Manna Knights and the Trojans mean a new champion will be crowned in Season 4 of the country’s first and only play-for-pay chess league. sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCworx.

IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia outwitted United States-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., 2-1; GM Julio Catalino Sadorra humbled Karl Victor Ochoa, 2-0; Shania Mae Mendoza edged WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda,2.5-.5; and IM Chito Garma clobbered IM Ricky De Guzman, 3-0, as Manila drew first blood, 15-6, in the first of their two-set showdown for the Northern crown.

Narquingel Reyes provided the lone bright spot for San Juan as he defeated Deniel Causo and Ali Cantonjos.

Needing only another win to advance to the finals, the Load Manna Knights again turned to Mendoza, who upset Fronda, 2-1; Garma, who toppled De Guzman, 2-1; and David Elorta, who overpowered Reyes and Narciso Gumila,, 3-0, to finish off the Predators.

The battle for the Southern Conference crown was a lot more exciting, with Toledo and Camarines needing two three-game Armageddon playoffs to determine the winner.

The first set ended in fighting 10.5-105. draw, with the Trojans edging the Eagles, 2-1, with Yap and Lim beating Giovanni Mejia and GM Darwin Laylo, respecitvely.

Ellan Asuela wa the lone winner for Camarines after beating Pimentel..

Camarines struck back in the second set behind victories by Laylo, Asuela, Bernadette Galas and Coellier Graspela.

In the final Armageddon, Yap and Lim hurdled their matches to clinch the victory.

Asuela won his match for Camarines.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria an Chairman Michael Angelo Chua of San Juan Predators.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.

Meanwhile, Marc Kevin Labog crowned himself as the champion in the 9th leg of the PCAP Champions League Open chess tournament at the SM City in Tuguegarao, Cagayan over the weekend
Labog, who plays for the Pasig City Pirates in the PCAP, finished with 6.5 points in seven games in the over-the-board competition which attracted 90 players.

The pride of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya pocketed the top prize of P7,000.

“I’m very happy with my performance,” said Labog/

Actually, Labog finished with the same output of Vince Angelo Medina with 6.5 points but clinched the title by virtue of higher tiebreak score.

Games Saturday:

San Juan vs. Camarines (Battle for third place)
Manila vs. Toledo (Championaship)