San Juan takes charge
SAN Juan Predators continued its strong showing in the 2025 PCAP All-Filipino Conference, posting another back-to-back victories over Cagayan Kings, 16-5, and AQ Prime Cavite Spartans, 16-5, over the weekend.
Led by Karl Victor Ochoa, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and IM Ricardo de Guzman, San Juan held off hard-fighting Cavitein the battle between.unbeaten teams to assume the solo lead in the prestigious 16-team, two-division tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.
Ochoa edged upset-conscious Renie Malupa, 2-1; Fronda swept Michelle Concio, 3-0; and De Guzman outplayed Eduardo Tunguia and Homer Cunanan to lead the Predators’ victory.
Narquingel Reyes provided strong support with victories over Voltaire Marc Paraguya and Jason Visca.
Alexis Maribao provided an upset victory for Cavite as he edged GM Rogelio Bacenilla,Jr. , 2-1, at the top board.
San Juan’s impressive victory over Cavite came after the Predators’ 16-5 triumph over the Cagayan Kings in the fourth round earlier in the day.
Barcenilla edged Tyrone de los Santos, 2-1; Ochoa whitewashed Marc Francis Balanay, 3-0; Fronda overwhelmed April Joy Ramos, 3-0; and De Guzman humbled Gary Legaspi, 3-0.
The Hubert Estrella-mentored Predators also won over Rizal Towers,19-2, in the first round last March 22; Pasig King Pirates, 13-8, in the second round., and Manila Load Manna Knights, 15.5-5.5, in the third round last March 26.
Manila toppled Pasig Pirates, 15.5-5.5, in the fourth round and Rizal Towers, 19-2, to vault into a tie for second to third places with Cavite with 4-1 slates.
Leading Manila’s charge over Rizal were IM Paulo Bersamina, 3-0 winner over John Orozco; IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, 3-0 victor over Godfeey Villamor; Shania Mae Mendoza, 3-0 winner over Shaira Aquino; and IM Chito Garma, 3-0 victor over Joselito Castro.
The Manila-Pasig encounter was more exciting.
Bersamina edged GM Daniel Quizon in their top board enconter, 2-1.
Daryl Samantila blanked Rowelyn Acedo and Omar Bagalacsa,3-0, on board two; Mendoza nipped Sherily Cua, 2.5-.5, on the female board; and Garma swept NM Petronio Roca, 3-0, on the senior board.
Before losing to San Juan, Cavite defeated Isabela Knights of Alexander, 16.5-4.5.
In other Northern Conference results, IIEE-PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe oyplayed Rixal Towers, 12-9, in the fourth round; and Isabela Knights of Alexander outsteadied Quezon City, 13-8, in the fifth round.
Last year’s runner-up Toledo Trojans won over Bacolod Blitzers, 17-4, in the fourth round; and Iriga Oragons, 17-4, in the fifth round to remain as the only unbeaten team in the Southern Division.
The Trojans of well-known sports patron Jeah Gacang have a perfect score of pointss, a full point ahead of Bacolod and two points ahead of Camarines and Iriga.
PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is organized by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria and Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.
Games are being held every Wednesday and Saturday.
