SAN Juan Predators pulled off back-to-back victories over Camarines-Iriga Eagles, 13.5-7.5, and Tacloban Vikings, 17.5-3.5, to boost their chances in the 2022 PCAP Open Conference chess championships.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda delivered a perfect score of six points for San Juan — three against Ezraline Alvarez of Camarines-Iriga and Judy Ann Mesias of Tacloban — to lead the Predators of PCAP chairman Michael AngeloChua and coach Hubert Estrella to another dominant showing.

IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia edged Walt Allen Talan, 2-1, on board two; Narquingel Reyes nipped Virgen Gil Ruaya, 2-1, on board five; FM Randy Segarra subdued Collier Graspela, 2-1, on board six; and AGM Gavin Ong bested NM Glennen Artuz, 2-1, on board seven to secure the victory of San Juan over Camarines.

IM Paulo Bersamina settled for a 1.5-1.5 draw with Samson Lim on board one.

San Juan had an easier time against Tacloban with Bersamina, Garcia, Fronda, FM Adrian Pacis, Segarra, Reyes and Ong winning their respective matches.

Norman Montejo of Tacloban posted a big surprise when he held Bersamina to a draw in blitz chess at the top board.

Tacloban also took three points in rapid chess courtesy of Jimmy Ty,Jr on board., Leo Lofranco on board four and Ruel Nuttal on board seven.

Overall, San Juan holds a 14-2 win-loss record behind only the 15-1 mark of the Pasig Pirates in the Northern Division.

Pasig kept San Juan at bay following a 15.5-5.5 victory over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and 16-5 triumph over Camarines-Iriga.

Manila Indios Bravos outsteadied Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 11.5-9.5, and Cagayan de Oro, 16-5, while Laguna Heroes downed Tacloban, 14-7, and Palawan, 12-7, to share third and fourth places with 12-4 records.

Over at the Southern Division, Davao Eagles demolished Olongapo Rainbow, 21-0, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 17.5-3.5, while Iloilo Kisela Knights crushed Rizal Towers, 17.5-3.5, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 19-2, to keep their share of the lead with idential 14-2 slates.

A close third overall are the Negros Kingsmen,who outplayed Mindoro, 21-0, and Rizal, 19-2, for a 13-3 mark.

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

Major sponsors are San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.