PASIG Pirates made it 12 wins in a row in the 2022 PCAP Open Conference, beating Southern Division heavyweights Iloilo Kisela Knights, 11.5-9.5, and Negros Kingsmen, 13.5-7.5, late Saturday.

United States-based GM Mark Paragua, IM Idel Datu and IM Cris Ramayrat came through with the all-important victories for the Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto-supported Pirates in the highly-anticipated rematch of their PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup title showdown.

Paragua outclassed NM Rolly Parondo Jr., 3-0; Datu bested Karl Viktor Ochoa, 2-1; and Ramayrat shocked GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., 3 -0, for Pasig’s inspiring victory

Pasig and Iloilo actually battled to a 3.5-3.5 standoff in blitz action.

But victories by Paragua, Datu and Ramayrat proved enough in Pasig’s 8-6 triumph in rapid play.

It was the same story for Pasig in the second match of Saturday’s doubleheader.

The Pirates overpowered the Kingsmen, 13.5-7.5 on the strength of 10-4 victory in rapid matches.

The two teams were deadlocked at 3.5-3.5 after blitz play.

Ramayrat was agan the man of he hour for Pasig as he took all three points in his senior board battle against Alfredo Dumalag of Negros.

Iloilo did better in the second match with an 18-3 win over guest team Pasig Juniors.

Negros also recovered lost ground when it turned the tables on the San Juan Predators, 11-10.

PCAP, Asia’s first play-for-pay league, is headed by Atty. Paul Elauria as President-Commissioner, and Michael Angelo Chua as Chairman.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).