TOLEDO Trojans and Bacolod Blitzers made it three wins in a row in the 2025 PCAP All-FIlipino Conference chess team championships last Wednesday.

Toledo bested Camarines Soaring Eagles, 17.5-3.5, in the second round and Iloilo Kisela Knights,17-4, the following round to tighten their grip on the lead in the 16-team, two-division, tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCworx.

Toledo, which finished runner-up to Manila Load Manna Knights last year, debuted with a smashing 20-1 victory ACAPI Misamis Occidental/ TFCC LP Bamboo Knights last March 22.

Sharing the limelight were the Bacolod Blitzers, who swept Mindoro Tamaraws, 13-8, and Zamboanga Sultans,16-5.

Bacolod also won over IrigaOragons, 16-5, in the first round.

Camarines Eagles recovered mightily in the third round with a 21-0 demolition over ACAPI Misamis Occidental/ TFCC LP Bamboo Knights

Camarines, 18-3 winner over the Zamoanga Sultansin the opening round, is tied for third to fourth places with the Iriga Oragons.wtih 2-1 win-loss records.

. Iriga defeated Mindoro Tamaraws, 14-7.

Over in the Northern Conference, San Juan Predators toppled Pasig Pirates, 13-8, and Manila Load Manna Knights, 15.5-5.5, while AQ Prime Cavite Spartans humbled Rizal Towers, 19-2, and IIEE-PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13-8, to share the early lead also with three straight victories.

Karl Victor Ochoa, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Ricardo de Guzman and Narquinden Reyes carried the fight for San Juan in a highly-anticipated rematch against Pasig.

Ochoa whipped Omar Bagalacsa, 3-0; Fronda outwitted Sherily Cua, 2.5-.5; De Guzman blanked NM Petronio Roca, 3-0; Reyes bested Mark Kevin Labog and Narciso Gumila, 3-0.

Daniel Quizon and Kevin Arquero provided the victories for Pasig as they defeated GM Rogelio Barcenilla, 3-0, and IM Rolando Nolte, 2.5-.5, respectively.

Barcenilla redeemed himself in the match against Paulo Bersamina of Manila as he swept both their blitz and rapid matches.

PCAP, the country’s first and only professional chess league, is organized by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria and Chaiman Michael.Angelo Chua and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya