PASIG City made chess history by winning an unprecedented fourth straight championship in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).

Bannered by GM Mark Paragua, IM Cris Ramayrat and IM Eric Labog, the Pirates completed a two-match sweep of Southern Conference titlist Toledo Trojans, 13-8, and 12.5-8.5, to repeat as champions in the GM Wesley So Cup chess team championships over the weekend.

The Pirates leaned on Paragua, who outwitted GM Richard Bitoon, 3-0; Ramayrat, who edged NIM Rico Mascarinas and NM Edmundo Gatus, 2-1; and Labog, who crushed Bonn Rainauld Tibod, 3-0, in the second of their two-match showdown in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land, Buenaviel Construction and PCWorx.

In the first match, Ramayrat swept Mascarinas and Gatus; Arquero nipped Kim Steven Yap and Allan Pason, 2-1; and Labog blanked Pason and Tibod to lead Pasig to victory over Toledo.

Not even David Elorta’s 2.5-.5 upset victory over Paragua, Bitoon’s 2.5-.5 win over Gombosuren Munkhgal and Cherry Ann Mejia’s 2-1 decision over Rowelyn Acedo in the first match could save the day for the Trojans.

Mejia was again the lone bright spot for Toledo in the second set as she defeated Sherily Cua, 2.5-.5.

Elorta edged Munkhgal, 2.5-.5, and Yap downed Arquero and Labog, 2-1, in other Toledo victories.

“Thank God for this newest triumph of the Pasig Pirates. And like in all our previous championships, it’s a team effort. Our hard work paid off,” said Pasig Pirates coach Franco Camillo, who also lauded the support of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for the team’s success.

“We also would like to thank our city government, led by Mayor Vico (Sotto) and the city council for their full support,” added Camillo.

“But we’re not resting on our laurels even after winning our fourth PCAP championship, We really hope to win more chess titles in the future under Mayor Vico.”

Actually, Pasig captured its first title in the Second and Third Conferences of Season 2 before bagging the First Conference early this year.

In the battle for third place, tWo-time champion San Juan Predators defeated former winner Iloilo Kisela Knights, 15.5 – 5.5, in their one-match playoffs.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda led the charge of the Predators of coach Hubert Estrealla as she defeated Fiona Geweeneth Guirhem, 3-0, in the female boarda

GM Victor Moskalenko edged NM Cesar Mariano, 2-1, and Paulo Bersamina bested Fritz Bryan Porras, 2-1, for San Juan’s other victories.

The four PCAP championships by Pasig are also the most in PCAP’s three-year history.

LagunS Heroes, managed by Dr.Fred Paez, ruled the inaugural All-Filipino tournament in 2021, before the lIloilo Kisela Knights annexed the Second Conference crown also in 2021.

San Juan Predators dominated the next two tournaments in 2021 and 2022.

PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league, is headed by PCAP President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua, Treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal and Technical Committee Chairman Engr. Jojo Buenaventura.

The prestigious 18-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.