PASIG Pirates brought down Iloilo Kisela Knights, 14-7, in their much-awaited heavyweight battle in the 2020 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.

GM Mark Paragua, Sheriyl Cua. Kevin Arquero and Eric Labog, Jr. provided the much-needed victories for the Pirates in both blitz and rapid matches in this prestigious competition sponsored by San Miguel Corporation and Ayala Land.

Paragua swept NM Cesar Mariano, Cua humbled WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, Arquero blanked NM Fritz Bryan Porras and Labog crushed NM Rolly Parondo, Jr., all by 3-0 scores, for Pasig over Iloilo.

The Pirates, who have now beaten the top teams in both North and South divisions, continue to lead the way with 20-1 win-loss record and a runaway score of 315 points.

Former World Youth campaigner Karl Victor Ochoa, GM Rogelio Antonio and NM John Michael Silvederio carried the fight for the Kisela Knights.

Ochoa pulled the rug from under GM Darwin Laylo, 3-0; Antonio edged IM Cris Ramayrat, 2-1, on the senior board; and Silvederio nipped Mark Kevin Labog, 2-1.

Despite the loss, Iloilo maintained the lead in the Southern division with a 19-2 win-loss record and 289 total points.

PCAP Third Conference champion San Juan Predators posted back-to-back victories over Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 15-6, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 17.5-3.5, to stay within striking distance with 18-3 slate and 290 total points.

GM Oliver Barbosa, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Ricardo de Guzman and Narquingel Reyes hurdled their respective opponents with surprising ease to power San Juan to victory over Palawan.

Barbosa defeated playing coach Susan Grace Neri, 3-0; Fronda clobbered WIM Beverly Mendoza, 3-0; De Guzman trounced WNM Ludivina Nadera, 3-0; and Reyes smothered Marife de la Torre, 3-0.

Barbosa, Fronda, IM Rolando Nolte and Narciso Gumila led San Juan against Toledo.

Defending champion Laguna Heroes also completed a twin kill against Cagayan de Oro, 12-9, and Camarines Eagles, 12-9, for a third-best 17-4 mark and 266.5 points in the North.

Leading the Heroes’ attack were GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., FM Austin Jacob Literatus, Michella Concio and IM Angelo Young.

Another double winner were Davao Eagles, who outclassed Olongapo Rainbow, 18-3, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 13.5-7.5.

The Eagles of IPCA world champion FM Sander Severino, FM Roel Abelgas, Mary Israel Palero-Segarra, NM Alex Lupian and NM Henry Lopez have 16-5 record and 277 points.

PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay chess league, is headed by Atty. Paul Elauria as President- Commissioner; Michael Angelo Chua as Chairman; Dr. Ariel Potot as Vice Chairman and Atty. Arnel Batungbakal as Treasurer.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

Standings after 21 rounds:

Northern Division
Pasig 20-1; San Juan 18-3, Laguna 17-4; Caloocan 14-7; Cagayan 12-9; Isabela 10-11; Manila 9-12, Quezon City 9-12; Rizal 8-13, Cavite 5-16; Mindoro 4-17, Olongapo 4-17.

Southern Division
Iloilo 19-2; Davao 16-5, Negros 12l4-7, Zamboanga 14-7, Toledo 13-8, Surigao 13-8; Camarines 9-12, Cagayan de Oro 9-12; Palawan 6-15; Cebu 5-16; Iriga 2-19, Tacloban 2-19.