LAGUNA Heroes brought down Zamboanga Sultans, 2-1, in their three-game playoffs to forge a three-way tie for the top spot with San Juan and Caloocan in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino tournament.
GM John Paul Gomez outduelled IM Chito Garma while FM Austin Jacob Literatus subdued NM Zulfikar Sali to clinch the match for the Heroes of Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo Paez.
Zamboanga’s lone victory came when NM Joey Florendo pulled the rug from under United States-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. at the top board.
Caloocan, bannered by IM Paulo Bersamina, defeated Toledo in their unfinished games on boards one and six to join San Juan and Laguna with 20-3 win-loss slates.
Rizal Towers swept Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 3-0, in another Armageddon encounter to join Manila Indios Bravos with identical 16-7 records.
IM Rolando Nolte outsteadied Canoy, FM Mari Joseph Turqueza crushed Josrlito Serna and AGM Herman Vallente humbled Sandro Ladion.
Iriga City Oragons also won their unfinished match against Quezon City Simba’s Tribe.
In Wednesday’s actIon, San Juan Predators battle Antipolo Cobras and Laguna Heroes, Caloocan Load Manna Knights play Quezon City Simba’s Tribe and Rizal Towers and Manila Indios Bravos tackle Cavite Spartans and Olongapo Rainbow in key matches in the North.
In the South, Negros Kingsmen take on Iriga Oragons and Mindoro Tamaraws; Iloilo Kisela Knights collide with Palawan Queen’s Gambits and Toledo Trojans: and Camarines Soaring Eagles square off with Zamboanga Sultans and Cordova Dagami Warriors.
The prestigious 24-team processiinal chess tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria; Chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua; and treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
The games are sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.
Standings
After 23 rounds
North
W L
Laguna 20 3
San Juan 20 3
Caloocan 20 3
Manila 16 7
Rizal 16 7
Cavite 12 11
Pasig 11 12
Antipolo 10 13
Isabela 8 15
Olongapo 7 16
Quezon City 4 19
Cagayan 4 19
South
Negros 20 3
Iloilo 19 4
Camarines 19 4
Toledo 13 10
Zamboanga 13 10
Lapu-Lapu 11 12
Mindoro 10 13
Cordova 7 16
Surigao 5 18
Cebu 5 18
Iriga 4 19
Palawan 2 21
