DEFENDING champion San Juan Predators, Laguna Heroes and Negros Kinsgmen continued their strong showing to keep the lead in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference over the weekend.

San Juan, which is looking for its third title in seven conferences, posted back-to-back victories over Cebu Machers, 21-0, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 19-2, to tighten its grip on the top spot in the Northern Divisison with a 16-1 win-loss record and 273 points.

Karl Viktor Ochoa, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito, IM Ricardo de Guzman, IM Paulo Bersamina, Narquingel Reyes and FM Narquingden Reyes completed a clean sweep of their matches against their Cebu counterparts to set the tone for the rout.

San Juan also proved unstoppable against Mindoro, with only FM Julius Joseph de Ramos and AFM Kaessa Merilles managing to score a point for the Tamaraws.

Laguna, which captured the inaugural All-Filipino crown in 2021, outsteadied Mindoro Tamaraws, 13.5-7.5, and Zamboanga Sultans, 12.5-8.5, to match San Juan’s record at 16-1.

The Dr. Fred Paez-managed Heroes, however, remain a far second after tiebreak with 243 points.
Leading the way for Laguna are GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., NM Nicomedes Alisangco,WIM Shania Mae Mendoza and IM Efren Bagamasbad

Over at the Southern Division, Negros Kingsmen outclassed Cavite Spartans, 20-1, and Isabela Knights of Alexander, 13-8.

Negros has a frontrunning 16-1 slate and 255 points, way ahead of second-running Toledo Trojans, who have 13-4 record and 209.5 points, and third-running Davao Eagles, who have a 12-5 mark and 225 points.

Negros struck on victories by FM David Elorta, IM Joel Pimentel, WIM Bernadette Galas, GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and FM Elan Asuela, who swept their matches against their Cavite counterparts.

Elorta, Antonio and Galas also produced the much-needed points in Negros’ victory over Isabela.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is organized by Atty. Paul Elauria as president and Michael Angelo Chua as chairman and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

The prestigious 20-team, two-division tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

Games are being played every Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Standings

North — San Juan 16-1, Laguna 16-1;
Pasig 13-4; Manila 10-7; Mandaluyong 9-8;
Cavite 8-9; Cagayan 7-10; Rizal 5-12; Isabela 4-13; Quezon City 2-15.

South — Negros 16-1; Toledo 13-4; Davao 12-5; Iloilo 11-6; Camarines-Iriga 8- 9; Zamboanga 7-10; Surigao 6-11; Tacloban 4-13; Cebu 2-15; Mindoro 1-16.