PASIG City King Pirates authored one of the biggest upsets in the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup, beating All-Filipino runner-up Camarines Soaring Eagles, 12-9, last Wednesday.

WIM Sherily Cua and NM Rudy Ibanez carried the fight for the Pirates by taking all six points on the female and senior boards in the tensely-fought inter-division showdown.

Cua defeated Ezraline Alvarez in blitz and Virgenie Ruaya in rapid, while Ibanez swept Raul Fernandez to power Pasig to a king-sized upset win over Camarines.

The victories by Cua and Ibanez cushioned the impact of another strong showing by GM Mark Paragua, who whipped GM Munkhgal Gomosuren of Mongolia and NM Ronald Llavanes, who held GM Darwin Laylo to two draws.

Coupled with its 16-5 victory over Cebu City Machers the following round, Pasig vaulted into a share of fifth to seventh places with Antipolo Cobras and Isabela Knight Raiders with 11-6 slates.

It was a big day for Northern Division teams.

Equally impressive were San Juan Predators, who humbled Iloilo Kisela Knights, 13-8, and Iriga City Oragons, 14.5-6.5; Manila Indios Bravos, who trounced Toledo City Trojans, 12.5-8.5, and Zambonga Sultans, 13-8; Laguna Heroes, who blanked Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 21-0, and Toledo, 14.5-6.5; Antipolo Cobras, who routed Iriga, 15.5-5.5, and Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors, 12.5-8.5; and Caloocan Load Manna Knights, who beat Lapu-Lapu, 16-5, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 16-5.

San Juan relied on GM Oliver Barbosa, who edged GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan, 2-1; WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who nipped WIM Cherry Ann Mejia, 2-1; and GM Victor Moskalenko, who swept NM Cesar Mariano, 3-0.

IM Ricardo de Guzman split the point with GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., 1.5-1.5.

Moskalenko, Narquinden Reyes, Shariz Ngo and Narquingel Reyes delivered the points for the Hubert Estrella-coached San Juan against Iriga.

South teams Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors demolished Rizal Towers, 17-4, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 16-5; while Negros Kingsmen stopped Cavite Spartans, 16-5, and Cagayan Kings, 11-20, to strengthen their title aspirations.

The only all-female team in the tournament — Palawan Queen’s Gambit — also created a surprise with an inspiring 12-9 upset win over Cavite.

PCAP, the first and only professional chess league in the country, is headed by President- Commissioner Atty. Paul Elaura, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and Vice Chairman Ariel Potot.

The tournament is sponsored by GM Wesley So and San Miguel Corporation and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra.

Games June 19

Round 18 — Antipolo vs. Mindoro, Caloocan vs.Negros, Cagayan vs. Palawan, Cavite vs. Surigao, Isabela vs. Toledo, Laguna vs. Zamboanga, Manila vs. Camarines, Olongapo vs. Cebu, Pasig vs. Cordova, Quezon vs. Iloilo, Rizal vs. Iriga, San Juan vs. Lapu-Lapu.

Round 19 — Negros vs. Antipol, Palawan vs. Caloocan, Surigao vs. Cagayan, Toledo vs. Cavite, Zamboanga vs. Isabela, Camarines vs. Laguna, Cebu vs.Manila, Cordova vs. Olongapo, Iloilo vs. Pasig, Iriga vs. Quezon, Lapu-Lapu vs. Rizal, Mindoro vs. San Juan.