DEFENDING champion San Juan Predators brought down Pasig Pirates, 13-8, in a highly-awaited rematch of the last three Northern Division finals in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference over the weekend.

Karl Viktor Ochoa upset GM Mark Paragua, 2-1; WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda crushed WIM Sherily Cua, 3-0; IM Ricardo de Guzman whipped IM Ricardo de Guzman, 3-0; and Narquingel Reyes subdued Kevin Arquero, 1-0, to power the Predators to a convincing victory over the Pirates in the prestigious tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

The wins cushioned the impact of the loss of IM Paulo Bersamina, who bowed to IM Eric Labog on board seven.

San Juan also won over the Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18-3, with Ochoa, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Fronda, De Guzman and Bersamina sweeping their matches.

Overall, the Predators of PCAP chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella maintained the overall lead with a 20-1 win-loss record and 332.5 points.

Inaugural PCAP All-Filipino champions Laguna Heroes matched San Juan’s front-running record with back-to-back victories over Rizal Towers, 13-8, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18-3.

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, IM Daniel Quizon, WIM Jerlyn Mae San Diego, IM Efren Bagamasbad and IM Michael Concio provided the victories for the Dr. Fred Paez-managed Heroes.

Laguna, however, remains in second place with lower tiebreak score than San Juan with 298 points.

Pasig Pirates earlier edged Mandaluyong TIgers, 10.5-10.5 ( 2-1 in Armageddon) to kep third place with 16-5 win-loss record.

Kevin Arquero stunned GM Darwin Laylo and Paragua humbled FM Christopher Castellano to lead Pasig to victory over Mandaluyong.

Deniel Causo averted a shutout for Mandaluyong when he toppled IM Ildelfonso Datu in the first of their three-board playoffs.

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

The event is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.