TWO-time champion San Juan Predators brought down top favorite Pasig Pirates, 12-9, in an early battle of heavyweights in the 2024 PCAP All-Filipino chess team championships last March 27.
WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and IM Ricardo de Guzman provided the much-needed victories for San Juan of PCAP Chaiman Michael Angelo Chua and coach Hubert Estrella.

Fronda, who was recently honored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as one of the country’s “Women In Sports” awardees, swept WIM Sherily Cua in both blitz and rapid matches, while De Guzman outsteadied IM Cris Ramayrat,2.5-.5, to lead the charge of the Predators.

Narquingel Reyes edged Omar Bagalacsa, 2.5-.5, on board seven to complete San Juan’s day of triumph.

IM Idelfonso Datu and Eric Labog carried the fight for Pasig by beating Karl Victor Ochoa,2-1, on board two and Narciso Gumila, 3-0, on board five.

The heavyweight battle between GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. of San Juan and GM Mark Paragua of Pasig ended in a fighting draw, 1.5-1.5.

San Juan also won over Olongapo Rainbow, 15-6, on opening day last March 23.

Overshadowed by San Juan’s impressive victory over Pasig were Manila, Isabela and Camarines, which made their presence felt by posting back-to-back victories in the second and third rounds
The Load Manna Knights clobbered Cagayan Kings, 19-2, in the second round and Rizal Towers, 17.5-3.5, in the third round to keep their perfect record in this two-divison, 18-team tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

IM Paulo Bersamina outduelled GM-candidate Ronald Dableo, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia trampled Tyrone de los Santos and IM Chito Garma crushed Jude Ulanday — all by 3-0 scores — to power the Load Manna Knights to their third straight victory over Cagayan.

Bersamina, Garcia and Garma also swept their respective opponents — USNM Jose Aquino, Stephen Manzanero and Francisco Macawile of Rizal to complete Manila’s big day, Manila defeated Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13.5-7.5, in the first round.

Isabela leaned on Gerry Cabellon, Lordwyn Espiritu and Alvin Aguinaldo to subdue Rizal Towers, 11.5-8.5, and Olongapo Rainbow, 16-5.

Isabela won over Cagayan, 12-9, in the first round last March 23.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), led by Chairnan Atty. Richard Clarin.

Standings

Northern Conference
Manila 3-0, Isabela 3-0; San Juan 2-0;
Cavite 2-1; Pasig 1-1; Cagayan 1-2; Quezon City 0-2; Rizal 0-3, Olongapo 0-3.

Southern Conference
Camarines 3-0; Toledo 2-0; Surigao 2-1, Davao 2-1; Iloilo 1-1; Tacloban 1-2, Negros 1-2; Iriga 0-2, Mindoro 0-2.