DEFENDING Champion San Juan Predators and Negros Kingsmen continued to flex their muscles and posted impressive back-to-back victories over their respective opponents in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference over the weekend.

San Juan demolished Toledo Trojans, 17.5-3.5, in the 12th round and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 18.5-2.5, in the following round to join erstwhile leader Laguna Heroes in the lead in the Northern Division with 12-1 win-loss records.

Negros matched San Juan’s 12-1 record following inspiring 13.5-7.5 triumph over Pasig Pirates and 11.5–9.5 decision over Mandaluyong Tigers to take the lead in the Southern Division.

Former World Youth chess campaigner Karl Viktor Ochoa outduelled NM Erwin Retanal of Toledo, 3-0, and Lennon Hart Salgados of Surigao, 2-1, in the featured top board matches to lead the Predators of PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella to back-to-back victories.

Also winning for San Juan were IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who defeated Richard Natividad of Toledo, 2-1, and Carl Sato of Surigao, 2.5-.5, on board two; WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who bested WIM Beverly Mendoza, of Toledo, 2-1, and Gladys Romero of Surigao, 3-0, on the female board; and IM Ricardo de Guzman, who toppled IM Rico Mascariñas of Toledo, 2-1, and NM Cyril Ortega of Surigao, 3-0, on the senior board.

The twin victories by San Juan came after 18-3 triumph over the Iloilo Kisela Knights and 11-10 decision over the Negros Kingsmen last Wednesday.

Laguna Heroes bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat to Negros last Wednesday with victories over Surigao, 16.5-4.5, and Camarines-Iriga Eagles, 16-5.

GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. IM Daniel Quizon, WIM Jerlyn Mae San Diego, and IM Angelo Young led the way for the Dr. Fred Paez-managed Heroes.

Barcenilla edged Salgados, 2-1, Quizon whipped Sato, 3-0, San Diego edged Romero, 2-1, and Young humbled Cyril Ortega, 2-1, for the Heroes over the Fianchetto Checkmates.

Barcenilla, Quizon and San Diego struck again for Laguna against Camarines-Iriga.

NM Carlo Lorena was the top scorer for Camarines-Iriga as he upset Young, 2-1.

Nergos was just as impressive against Pasig.

FM David Elorta shocked GM Mark Paragua, 2-1, Ellan Asuela upset IM Idelfonso Datu, 2.5-.5, WIM Bernadette Galas edged WIM Sherily Cua, 2-1, and GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. swept IM Cris Ramayrat, 3-0, in Negros’ victory over Pasig.

Elorta, Galas and Antonio continued their strong showing with the much-needed victories over Mandaluyong.

PCAP, the country’s first professional chess league, is headed by PCAP President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

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

Schedule:

Round 14 –Pasig vs. Surigao, San Juan vs. Camarines-Iriga, Laguna vs. Tacloban, Manila vs. Cebu, Cagayan vs. Mindoro, Isabela vs. Zamboanga, Cavite vs. Davao, Rizal vs. Iloilo, Quezon vs. Negros, Mandaluyong vs. Iloilo.

Round 15 — Camarines-Iriga vs. Pasig, Tacloban vs. San Juan, Cebu vs. Laguna, Mndoro vs.Manila, Zambonga vs. Cagayan, Davao vs. Isabela, Iloilo vs. Cavite, Negros vs. Rizal, Toledo vs. Quezon, Surigao vs. Mandaluyong.