PCAP

Quezon City in upset win vs Pasig; Laguna, San Juan strike again

February 8, 2022 Ed Andaya 710 views

QUEZON City Simba’s Tribe provided the biggest upset victory so far when they shocked erstwhile unbeaten Pasig Pirates, 12-9, in the 2022 PCAP All-Filipino Conference.

NM Robert Arellano outduelled GM Mark Paragua, NM.Edgardo Garma toppled GM Darwin Laylo and playing team owner-coach Danilo Ponay surprised NM Rudy Ibanez in blitz to power Quezon City to an inspiring victory over Pasig in the prestigious tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation and Ayala Land.

NM Robert Suelo, Joseph Navarro and Freddie Talaboc also contributed in the Simba Tribe’s triumph when they won over Eric Labog, Kevin Arquero and Cris Ramayrat in rapid play.

Quezon City also won over Rizal Towers, 11.5-9.5, on victories by Michaela Concio, Ponay, Suelo and Navarro.

Overall, Quezon City improved to 4-4 win-loss record in the Northern Division in a tie with Manila Indios Bravos and Isabela Knight Raiders.

Overshadowed by Quezon City’s upset win were defending champion Laguna Heroes, who defeated Caloocan Load Manna Knights, 12-9, and Cavite Spartans, 15-6; and GM Wesley So Cup titlist SanJuan Predators, who demolished Mindoro Tamaraws, 15.5-5.5, after losing to Pasig, 7.5-13.5, earlier in the day.

Kimuel Lorenzo stood at the helm of Laguna’s attack as he swept Paul Sanchez in both blitz and rapid games.

The Cabuyao-based Lorenzo defeated Sanchez in 25 moves of the Sicilian defense in blitz and 69 moves of the Dutch defense in rapid to earn three points.

WNM Jean Karen Enriquez edged Arvie Lozano, 2-1, and Richie Jocson bested Stephen Manzanero and Alexis Maribao, 2-1, for Laguna’s other points.

The keenly-awaited games between GM Rogelio Barcenilla of Laguna and IM Paulo Bersamina and FM Austin Jacob Literatus and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia ended in fighting draws.

Laguna had an easeir time against Cavite, with Barcenilla, FM Efren Bagamasbad, Vince Angelo Medina winning their matches.

San Juan hardly worked out a sweat against Mindoro, with GM Oliver Barbosa, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Ricardo de Guman and Narquingel Reyes sweeping their blitz and rapid matches.

The win came after San Juan’s 7.5-13.5 loss to Pasig inthe first match of the day.

Cagayan Kings defeated Olongapo Rainbow, 13-8, and Manila Indios Bravos, 11-10, to climb into a share of fourth to ffith places with Caloocan with identical 5-2 records.

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 eight rounds:

Northern Division
Pasig 7-1, Laguna 7-1, San Juan 7-1; Caloocan 5-3, Cagayan 5-3; Manila 4-4, Quezon City 4-4; Isabela 4-4; Rizal 2-6, Mindoro 2-6; Cavite 1-7, Olongapo 0-8.

Southern Division
Davao 7-1, Iloilo 7-1; Negros 5-3, Zamboanga 5-3, Surigao 5-3: Toledo 4-4, Camarines 4-4, Cagayan de Oro 4-4; Palawan 3-5; Cebu 1-6*, Tacloban 1-6*; Iriga 1-7.
* — with one unfinished game

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