TWO-TIME champion San Juan Predators and Camarines Eagles flaunted their might to keep the lead in their respective divisions in the 2024 PCAP All-Filipino Conference chess team championships over the weekend.

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. outwitted IM Angelo Young, Karl Victor Ochoa subdued Samson Lim, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda whipped Chery Ann Mejia and IM Ricardo de Guzman edged IM Rico Mascarinas, 2-1, as San Juan humbled erstwhile Southern Conference frontrunner Toledo Trojans, 16.5-4.5, in a keenly-awaited battle of league heavyweights.

Only IM Joel Pimentel survived San Juan’s attack as he defeated brothers Narquinden and Narquingel Reyes, 2-1, on board six.

Later, San Juan completed a lopsided 21-0 victory over Olongapo Rainbow.

The twin victories enabled San Juan of PCAP chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella to boost its record to 17 wins against only one loss in the 18-team, two-division tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

Cavite Spartans and Manila Load Manna Knights matched San Juan’s back-to-back victories to stay within striking distance.

Cavite, bannered by Michael Concio and Joel Banawa, clobbered Iloilo Kisela Knights, 20-1, and Rizal Towers, 18-3, while Manila, led by David Elorta and Paulo Bersamina, crushed Davao Eagles, 16.5-4.5, and Quezon Citry Simba’s Tribe, 17-4, to stay in contention with 16-2 and 15-3 slates, respectively..

Concio whipped Rolando Andador, 3-0, while Banawa dumped Mark Jossel Mariano, 3-0, to lead Cavite over Iloilo.

Kevin Arquero overpowered Jose Aquino, 3-0, Kylen Mordido downed Catherine Pereña-Secopito, 2-0, and GM Rogelio Antonio Jr..routed NM Elias Lao, 3-0, in Cavite’s triumph over Rizal.

Manila leaned on Bersamina, who defeated Sander Severino of Davao, 3-0, and Joseph Navarro and Paulo Cristobal of Quezon City, 3-0; and IM Chito Garma, who outclassed Alex Lupian of Davao, 2-1, and Danilo Ponaybof Quezon City, 3-0 .

Defending champion Pasig Pirates, led by the foursome of Idelfonso Datu, Nelson Mariano, Rowelyn Acedo and Cris Ramayrat, outclassed Tacloban Vikings, 16-5, for 14-3 mark.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.

Games are played every Wednesday and Saturday.