Pasig, Toledo chessers keep lead in PCAP
DEFENDING champion Pasig Pirates and Toledo City Trojans tightened their grip on the lead in their respective divisions in the 2023 PCAP-Wesley So Cup chess team championships last Wednesday.
Pasig swept Quezon City Simba’s Tribe and Laguna Heroes with similar 16-5 scores to keep its unbeaten record after 20 matches in the Northern Division of the prestigious,18-team competition organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land, PCWorx and Buenaviel Construction.
IM Joel Pimentel demolished NM Marlon Bernardino, 3-0, Chris Ramayrat clobbered Danilo Ponay, 3-0, and Rowelyn Acedo edged Manilyn Cabungcag, 2-1, to lead the Pirates of Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and coach Franco Camillo to victory in this import-flavored conference.
The top board encounter saw Gombusuren Munkhgal draw with GM Darwin Laylo in blitz and GM Mark Paragua split the point with Laylo in rapid.
Francis Talaboc was the lone winner for Quezon City as he nipped Kevin Arquero, 2-1, on board five.
Paragua, Arquero and Mark Kevin Labog completed 3-0 victories over their respective opponents as Pasig defeated Laguna.
The United States-based Paragua swept Austin Jacob Literatus, Arquero blanked Nicomedes Alisangco and Labog downed Vince Medina.
..Munkhgal shocked GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., 2-1, on board two while Ramayrat edged IM Angelo Young, 2-1, in the senior board to complete Pasig’s romp.
Shania Mae Mendoza was the lone bright spot for the Dr. Fred Paez-managed Laguna as she bested SherilyCua, 2-1on the female board.
Two-time champion San Juan Predators and Cavite Spartans also hurdled their assignments to stay within striking distance with 17-2 and 17-3 win-loss records in the North, respectively.
San Juan, which is seeking another title under PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella, leaned on IMs Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Paulo Bersamina to roll back Laguna.
Garcia, one of the country’s strongest IMs, whipped Literatus, while Bersamina clobbered Medina — both with 3-0 scores — for the Predator’s triumph.
Barcenilla and Young carried the fight for Laguna by beating Karl Viktor Ochoa, 3-0, and Viktor Moskalenko, 2-1.
Mendoza edged Olympiad veteran Jan Jodilyn Fornda, 2-1, for Laguna’s other victory.
Cavite relied on IM Yaacov Norowitz, IM Rolando Nolte, NMs Barl Nadera and Edgardo Garma and WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego to beat Rizal Towers, 17-4.
GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr.and Bernadette Galas provided the spark for Cavite’s victory over Isabela later in the day.
Antonio outplayed Gerardo Cabellom in both blitz and rapid, 3-0, while Galas downed Praise Torre, 2-0.
Over in the Southern Divsiion, Toledo Trojans outclassed Davao Stallions, 12-9, to maintain the lead with 16-3 win-loss slate.
GM Richard Bitoon humbled Aglipay Oberio, 2-1, while Cherry Ann Mejia dumped Trina Temple, 3-0, to power the Trojans to a hard-earned victory over the Stallions.
Davao struck on victories by former junior champion Jonathan Tan over David Elorta, 2-1; Alex Lupian over Edmundo Gatus, 3-0; and Napoleon Recososa over IM Rico Mascarinas, 2-1.
Iloilo Kisela Knights outplayed Negros Sports, 18-3, and Davao Stallions, 14-7.
PCAP, the country’s first play-for-psy league, is headed by President- Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua, Treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal and technical committee head Engr. Jojo Buenaventura.
Games are sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by chairman Richard “larin.
Standings:
North — Pasig 20-0; San Juan 17-2;
Cavite 17-3: Laguna 11-8: Isabela 11-9; Manila 10-10; Quezon City 7-13; Cagayan 6-13; Rizal 5-15.
South — Toledo 16-3; Iloilo 13-7; Mindoro 9-11; Cebu 8-12; Surigao 7-13; Davao 6-13; Iriga 6-13; Camarines 5-15; Negros 3-17.
