TWO-TIME champion San Juan Predators leaned on former World Youth campaigner Karl Victor Ochoa and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia to bring down erstwhile unbeaten Pasig Pirates, 12-9, in a heavyweight battle of league favorites in the 2023 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess team championship last Saturday.

Ochoa outduelled GM Mark Paragua,2-1, while Garcia outplayed IM Joel Pimentel, 3-0, to power San Juan of PCAP chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella to a decisive victory over Pasig in this 18-team, two-division tournament held in honor of Filipino-born GM Wesley So.

Narquinden Reyes humbled Kevin Arquero, 2-0, on board six in another crucial victory for San Juan, which moved up to 19-2 win-loss in the overall standing in the Northern Conference.

Pasig dropped to 20-1.

GM Victor Moskalenko halved the point with IM Cris Ramayrat, 1.5-.1-5, in the senior board.

Rowelyn Acedo and Eric Labog carried the fight for Pasig with victories over Catherine Secopito and Paulo Bersamina, 3-0 and 2-1, respectively.

Later, San Juan rolled back Manila Indios Bravos, 18-3, with Garcia, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Ricardo de Guzman and Bersamina leading the way.

Garcia swept Jerich Cajeras, 3-0; Fronda crushed Kristel Shayne Herrera, 3-0; De Guzman edged IM Chito Garma, 2-1; and Bersamina overpowered Nelson Busa, 3-0.

IM Yoseph Taher drew with Ochoa, 1.5-1.5, on board one.

Equally impressive were the Toledo Trojans, who defeated Iloilo Kisela Knights, 11-10, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates,15.5-5.5, to keep the lead in the Southern Conference.

Cherry Ann Mejia swept Jovelyn Sepanton, 3-0, in the female board and Edmundo Gatus edged Cesar Mariano, 2.5-.5, in the senior board to lead the Trojans to a narro wvictory over the Kisela Knights.

David Elorta edged HorizonVillanueva. 2-1.

Prin Laohawirapap upset GM Richard Bitoon, 2-1, and Rolly Parondo shocked IM Rico Mascarinas, 2.5-.5, for Iloilo’s victories.

Toledo completed a double celebration with a fighting victory over Surigao later in the night.

The Trojans relied on Bitoon, who humbled Lennon Hart Salgados, 3-0; Elorta, who toppled Joey Albert Florendo, 3-0; Mehia, who blanked Mariel Romero, 3-0; and IM Kim Steven Yap, who demolished Fame Fazon, 3-0.

Johnny Carzano provided the lone bright spot forSurigao when he edged Mascarinas, 2.5-.5.

Former PCAP champion Laguna Heroes outsteadied Manila Indios Bravos, 12-9, and Cavite Spartans, 11-10, to climb into fourth place with a 13-8 record.

Zulfikar Sali humbled Jerich Cajeras of Manila, 2.5-.5, and Rommel Ganzon and Alexsey Sorokin of Cavite, 3-0, to lead the Heroes of PECA president Dr. Fred Paez.

PCAP is headed by President- Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria.

Major sponsors are San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PC Worx.