Toledo takes charge with victories over Pasig, San Juan
TOLEDO Trojans made their presence felt by posting back-to-back victories in the 2024 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup “Clash of North and South” chess team championships last Wednesday.
Toledo shocked defending champion Pasig Pirates, 13-8, and San Juan Predators, 11-10, in a pair of heart-stopping battles pitting the best teams from the South and North Divisions in this prestigious tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.
The Trojans relied on Ellan Asuela, who edged GM Gombosuren Munkhgal, 2-1, in board one; GM Alexsey Sorokin, who silenced GM Mark Paragua, 3-0, on board two; Melizah Ruth Carreon, who upset Rowelyn Acedo and Sherily Cua, 3-0, on board three; and GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., who outplayed IM Cris Ramayrat, 2.5-.5, on board four, to roll back the Pirates.
Pasig struck back on victories by Kevin Arquero, who bested Kim Steven Yap, 2-1; on board five; and Jefome Villanueva, who outclassed Diego Abraham Caperino, 2-0, on board seven.
Later, Toledo completed a big day by beating San Juan on victories by Sorokin over GM Rogelio Barcenilla, 3-0, on board one; Asuela over Joel Banawa, 2-1, on board two; and Yap over IM Rolando Nolte, 2.5-.5; on board five.
Antonio, on the other hand, held his ground and drew with San Juan import GM Viktor Moskalenko, 1.5-1.5.
Marie Antoinette San Diego and Narquinden Reyes carried the fight for San Juan by beating Carreon (3-0), in the female board and Virgen Gil Ruaya and Joel Pimentel (3-0) on board six.
Matching Toledo’s two-match sweep were the Northern Division contender Manila Load Manna Knights, who humbled Davao Eagles, 16-5, and Iloilo Kisela Knights, 18-2.5.
Yoseph Taher, David Elorta, Shania Mae Mendoza, IM Chito Garma provided the much-neeed victories for Manila over Davao.
Taher edged Sander Severino, 2-1; Elorta blanked FM Dhain Bacus, 3-0; Mendoza whipped Karen Enrqiuez, 3-0; and Garma overpowered Alex Lupian, 2.5-.5, in Manila’s victory over Davao.
Elorta clobbered Gil Labitaque, 3-0; Taher overwhelmed Jossel Mariano and Hubert Canto, 3-0; Mendoza nipped Fiona Geweeneth Guirhem,2-1; and Garma outclassed Cesar Mariano. 2.5-.5, in Manila’s romp over Iloilo.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league, is headed by President-Commissioner Paul Elauria , and Chaiman Michael Angelo Chua.
The event is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).