PCAP All-Filipino Southern Division champion Camarines Soaring Eagles and Northern Division runner-up San Juan Predators asserted their mastery over their respective weekend opponents to assume the lead in the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships last Saturday.

Camarines defeated Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 14-7, in the fourth round and Negros Kingsmen, 15-6, the following round to join Cordova Dagami Warriors as the only two unbeaten teams in the Southern Division.

GM Mark Paragua swept formr Asian champion IM Padmini Rout of India, WGM Marie Sebag subdued WIM Beverly Mendoza, NM Carlo Lorena humbled WNM Catherine Abanes and NM ronald Llavanes bested WIM Mikee Charlene Suede in Camarines’ victory over Palawan.

Later, Paragua defeated FM Nelson Mariano, Ellan Asuela downed FM Randy Segarra, Sebag swept AGM Rowelyn Joy Acedo and Gil Ruaya outclassed Adrian de la Cruz as Camarines overpowered Negros.

In the North, San Juan toppled All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, 13.5-7.5, and Cavite Spartans, 15.5-5.5, to remain as the only unbeaten team after five rounds.

GM Viktor Moskalenko, GM Oliver Barbosa and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda swept their respective rivals to lead the Predators’ victory over the Heroes.

Moskalenko outplayed FM Efren Bagamasbad, Barbosa subdued fellow GM John Paul Gomez and Fronda crushed Karen Jean Enriquez in both blitz and rapid matches to power the Hubert Estrella-mentored Predators.

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. was the lone bright spot for Laguna with back-to-back victories over FM Narquingden Reyes.

San Juan also came away with an easy victory over Cavite despite Moskalenko’s twin setbacks to IM Petronio Roca on board four.

Sharing the limelight with San Juan are the Antipolo Cobras, who demolished Pasig Pirates, 15.5-5.5, and Olongapo Rainbow, 16.5-4.5, to join Manila Indios Bravos and Cagayan Kings with similar 4-1 win-loss records.

NM Emmanuel Emperado, Sherwin Tiu, Christy Lamiel Bernales, IM Ronny Gunawan and USNM Jose Aquino, Jr. carried the fight for Antipolo against Pasig.

Emperado shocked GM Roland Salvador, Tiu surprised GM Weiming Goh, Bernales bested WIM Sherily Cua, Gunawan outwitted NM Rudy Ibanez and Aquino dumped Cromwell Sabado for the Cobras of team owner-manager Binky Gaticales.

Emperado, Bernales, Gunawan, Aquino and US NM Rodolfo Panopio were Antipolo’s leading scorers against Olongapo later in the evening.

Games May 26

Round 6
North — Manila vs. Antipolo, Laguna vs. Olongapo, Isabela vs. Pasig, Quezon City vs. Cavite, Cagayan vs. Rizal, Caloocan vs. San Juan.
South — Mindoro vs. Camarines, Lapu-Lapu vs. Negros, Irigavs. Palawan, Surigao vs. Iloilo, Cordova vs. Toledo, Cebu vs. Zamboanga.

Round 7
North — Antipolo vs. Laguna, Manila vs. Isabela, Olongapo vs. Cavite, Pasig vs. Cagayan, Quezon City vs. Caloocan, Rizal vs. San Juan.
South — Camarines vs. Lapu-Lapu, Mindoro vs. Iriga, Negros vs. Iloilo, Palawan vs. Cordova, Surigao vs. Cebu, Toledo vs. Zamboanga.