ILOILO Kisela Knights, Negros Kingsmen, San Juan Predators and Caloocan Load Manna Knights continued to show the way after the eighth day of competitions in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.
Iloilo, led by GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Karl Victor Ochoa, pulled off back-to-back victories over the Laguna Heroes, 12.5-8.5, and Antipolo Cobras, 18-3, to keep a share of the lead in the Southern Conference with 13-2 win-loss record.
Negros, bannered by IM Joel Pimentel and FM Nelson Mariano III, also completed a sweep by winning over the Cavite Spartans, 14-7, and Isabela Knight Raiders, 17-4, to match Iloilo’s leading record.
But the Camarines Soaring Eagles of GM Mark Paragua and NM Carlo Lorena dropped out of the lead with a split — losing to Rizal Towers, 8-13, and winning over the Pasig Pirates, 13.5-7.5.
The Toledo Trojans also made their move with 13.5-7.5 victory over the Quezon City Simba’s Tribe and 12-9 decision over the Olongapo Rainbow to vault into solo fourth place in the South with 9-6 record.
In the North, San Juan demolished Cebu City Machers, 17-4, and Cordova Dagami Warriors,17-4, while Caloocan humbled Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors, 14-7, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 12.5-8.5, to keep the top spot with identical 14-1 slates.
Laguna bounced back from a setback to Iloilo with a convincing 17.5-3.5 victory over the Iriga City Oragons to remain in solo third place in the North with 12-3 mark.
United States-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., FM Austin Jacob Literatus, WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, FM Efren Bagamasbad and GM John Paul Gomez delivered the victories for the Heroes.
Also making their presence felt in the North are the Manila Indios Bravos, who outclassed the Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 15.5-5.5, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates,14.5-6.5 to improve their record to 11-4; and Rizal Towers, who upset Camarines Soaring Eagles, 13-8, and Cebu Machers, 13-8, to raise its record to 9-6.
PCAP president-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria said the 24 member-teams will play a total of 34 games — 22 in their own conference and 12 in the other conference.
Aside from Elauria, the other PCAP officials are Michael Angelo Chua, Chairman; and Atty Arnel Batungbakal, treasurer.
The games are sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra.
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