SOUTHERN Division teams asserted their supremacy against their Northern Division counterparts in the 2022 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships over the weekend.

Defending champion Iloilo Kisela Knights and Davao Eagles pulled off similar impressive back-to-back victories as hostilities in the 24-team competition shift to inter-division format.

Iloilo, bannered by GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., and Karl Victor Ochoa, brought down Northern Division frontrunner Pasig Pirates, 11.5-9.5, and Olongapo Rainbow, 16-5, to remain as the only undefeated team with 13 straight victories.

The Leo Sotaridona-owned Kisela Knights earlier swept all their 11 matches in the Northern Division.

Equally impressive was Davao, which pulled the rug from under two-time champion San Juan Predators,12-9, and Pasig Pirates, 11-10.

The Eagles of GM Darwin Laylo and FM Sander Severino and coach James Infiesto also boosted their chances with a second-best 10-3 win-loss record behind only Iloilo.

Severino toppled.IM Rolando Nolte, 3-0, while NM Jonathan Tan crushed FM Randy Segarra, 3-0, to lead Davao’s victory over San Juan.

Laylo battled GM Oliver Barbosa of San Juan to a draw, 1.5-1.5.

Five other Southern Division teams — Zamboanga Sultans, Negros Kingsmen, Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, Tacloban Vikings and Palawan Queen’s Gambits — also posted inspiring victories agast their Northern Division counterparts.

Zamboanga shocked inaugural PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, 10.5-10.5 (2-1 Amageddon); Negros humbled Laguna, 12.5-8.5; Surigao crushed Cagayan Kings, 16-5; Tacloban overpowered Mindoro Tamaraws, 16-5; and Palawan outsteadied Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13.5-7.5.

Caloocan Load Manna Knights, however, kept the fight for the North.

The Load Manna Knights notched a twin kills with 11-10 victory over Negros Kingsmen and12.5-8.5 decision over Surigao.

Rizal Towers also completed a double celebration with 13-8 win over Cagayan de Oro and 13-8 victory over Palawan.

The tournament, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), headed by Atty. Paul Elauria as president, Michael Angelo Chua as chairman and Ariel Potot as vice-chairman.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

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

The matches of the Wesley So Cup can be viewed on the Facebook page of PCAP.

Standings after 13 rounds:

North
Caloocan 12-1; Pasig 10-3; San Juan 9-4, Laguna 8-5, Cagayan 8-5; Cavite 8-5; Isabela 6-7; Manila 5-8, Rizal 5-8, Quezon City 4-9; Mindoro 3-10; Olongapo 1-12.

South
Iloilo 13-0; Davao 10-3, Negros 10-3; Surigao 9-4; Zamboanga 7-6, Camarines-
Iriga 7-6, Toledo 7-6, Tacloban 5-8; Palawan 4-9; Cebu 3-10, Cagayan de Oro 3-10; Pagadian 1-12.