ILOILO, Negros and Camarines rolled to their third straight victories to take the lead in the Southern Division in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) First Conference.
Iloilo Kisela Knights demolished Toledo Trojans, 16-5, and Cebu City Machers, 19-2, to keep their perfect record on the second day of competitions.
GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. , Karl Victor Ochoa, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and NM Cesar Mariano led the charge of the Knights, who also debuted with a 15-6 win over the Palawan Queen’s Gambit.
Equally impressive were Negros Kingsmen, who outclassed the Mindoro Tamaraws, 13-8 and Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 14-7; and Camarines Eagles, who subdued Cordova Warriors, 16-5, and Iriga Oragons, 20.5-.5.
IM Joel Pimentel, Nelson Mariano III, Rowelyn Joy Acedo and FM Rosendo Bandal, Jr. carried the fight for the Kingsmen.
Pimentel drew with FM David Elorta of Mindoro, 1.5-1.5, while Mariano defeated Shewin Tiu of Mindoro, 2-1.
Bandal edged IM Domingo Ramos, 2-1, in senior action.
United States-based GM Mark Paragua and untitled standout Ellan Asuela led Eagles’ back-to-back victories.
Zamboanga Sultans, led by IM Chito Garma, NM Joey Albert Florendo, Canada-based NM Zulfikar Sali and Dr.Jenny Mayor, outplayed Cebu City Machers, 12-9.
Also puling off a major reversal was Antipolo Cobras, who bested opening-day winner Cagayan Kings, 12-9.
WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales and Martin “Binky” Gaticales provided the much-needed victories on lower boards for the Cobras against the Kings.
Cagayan stalwarts Jake Tumaliuan and Jojo Foz held their own against USNM Jojo Aquino and FM Rodolfo Panopio, Jr. in the first two boards.
Isabela, bannered by Alvin Aguinaldo and NM Gerry Cabellon, also did well against the Pasig team of GMs Darwin Laylo and Roland Salvador, posting a narrow 11-10 victory.
The 24-team tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman/President Butch Pichay, and sanctioned by the Games and Ammusements Board (GAB), led by Chairman Baham Mitra.
