SAN JUAN Predators brought down All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, 11-10, while Cordova Dagami Warriors toppled Iloilo Kisela Knights, 11.5-9.5, in a pair of heart-stopping matches in the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships last Wednesday.

GM Viktor Moskalenko outclassed FM Efren Bagamasbad, GM Oliver Barbosa crushed Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda edged WNM Jean Karen Enriquez to power the Predators to a repeat victory over the Heroes.

San Juan defeated Laguna,5-2, in blitz action.

Laguna struck on victories by GM Kiril Shevchenko over FM Narquinden Reyes and GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. over IM Ricardo de Guzman in rapid games for 8-6 triumph, but these were not enough to overhaul San Juan’s lead in blitz.

Coupled with its 18-3 win over Olongapo in the first game of the regular doubleheader, San Juan vaulted to a league-best 25-2 win-loss record and 404 total points.

The Predators of PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella are also the first team to breach 400 points in this second conference also sponsored by San Miguel Corporation.

Manila Indios Bravos also completed a double celebration by beating first-round tormentor Caloocan Load Manna Knights, 12-9, and Rizal Towers, 11-10, to wrest solo second place with 23-4 slate.

Veteran IM Cris Ramayrat again stood at the forefront of Manila’s double victory against Caloocan and Rizal.

Ramayrat, the top individual performer in the 24-team competition, swept import Jimmy Liew of Caloocan and NM Elias Lao of Rizal to lead the Indios Bravos.

IM Ronald Dableo outplayed IM Barlo Nadera and Mira Mirano bested Arvie Lozano for Manila, which avenged its 6.5-14.5 setback to Caloocan last May 19.

Ramayrat, Dableo and Christopher Rodriguez also produced the much-needed points for Manila against Rizal.

IM Rolando Nolte carried the fight for Rizal as he held Manila’s top players, IM john Marvin Miciano and GM Julio Sadorra to a draw in blitz and raaid action.

Caloocan hubled Isabela Knight Raiders, 16-5, while Laguna blasted Cagayan Kings, 13-8, to earn a split.

The IM Paulo Bersamina-led Caloocan is third with 22-5 record, while Laguna is fourth with 21-6.

.Also sweeping their two matches were the Antipolo Cobras, who routed Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 19.5-1.5, and Pasig Pirates, 12-0, to move up to solo fifth place with 19-8 records.

FM David Elorta, NM Emmanuel Emperado, CM Christy Lamiel Bernales, IM Ronny Gunawan, USNM Jose Aquino, Jr. and and Sherwin Tiu led the way for the Cobras of NCFP director Binky Gaticales.

Over at the Southern Division, Cordova leaned on the victories of GM Nitzan Steinberg, Mario Mangubat, MichaelJoseph Pagaran and Allan Apson to roll back Iloilo for the second straight time.
Steinberg outduelled GM Rogelio Antonio,Jr., Mangubat beat Cesar Mariano, Pagaran outplayed Dennis Bernas and Pason edged fritz Bryan Porras as the Ariel Potot-managed Dagami Warriors repeated their 11.5-9.5 victory over the Kisela Knights last May 22.

Earlier, Cordova blasted Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors, 20-1, after yielding only two draws in blitz.

Camarines Soaring Eagles, bannered by GM Mark Paragua and Ellan Asueka, matched Cordova’s 22-5 record after beating Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 16-5, and Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 15-6.

Overall, the Dagami Warriors have 363 total points against the Soaring Eagles’ 351.5 points.

Iloilo is third overall at 21-6 .