DEFENDING champion San Juan Predators continued their winning ways by beating Cavite Spartans and Isabela Knights of Alexander with similar 15.5-5.5 scores in the 2022 PCAP Third (Open) Conference.

World Chess Olympiad veteran IM Paulo Bersamina, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, WNM Arvie Lozano and IM Ricardo de Guzman led San Juan in both victories over Cavite and Isabela in this prestigious tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

Bersamina demolished IM Joel Banawa of Cavite, 3-0, and Nicanor Marinduque of Isabela, 3-0, while Garcia bested Jesus Lising and NM Michael Gotel of Cavite, 2-1, and Manolito Manaois and Servillano Obana of Isabela, 3-0, to power the Predators of PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella.

Lozano, who took the place of WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, edged AFM Melizah Carreon of Isabela, 2-1, on the female board.

De Guzman defeated IM Petronio Roca of Cavite, 1.5-.5.

Also producing points for San Juan were FM Narquingden Reyes and Narquingel Reyes and Narciso Gumila on boards five to seven.

Also posting back-to-back victories were Pasig Pirates, who humbled Isabela Knights of Alexander, 17.5-3.5, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 14.5-6.5; Manila Indios Bravos, who outsteadied Pasig Juniors, 15-6, and Cagayan Kings, 10.5-10.5, 2-1 in Armageddon; and Rizal Towers, who clobbered Mindoro Tamaraws, 14-7, and Olongapo Rainbow, 12-9.

Last year’s PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes split their matches, losing to Cagayan (8-13) and winning over Cavite (12.5-8.5).

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

Supporting the tournament is the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman-President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya