SAN Juan Predators and Negros Kingsmen continued to flex their muscles in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino tournament.
San Juan, bannered by GM Oliver Barbosa and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, demolished Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 15-6, and Toledo City Trojans, 15.5-5.5, to assume the solo lead with a 20-3 win-loss record in the Northern Conference.
Barbosa subdued FM Vince Alaan of Surigao and Rogelio Enriquez of Toledo, while Fronda subdued Jessa Mae Lisondra of Surigao and Jinky Catulay of Toledo to lead the charge of the Predators of team manager Michael Angelo Ong Chua and coach Hubert Estrella.
IM Ricky de Guzman also made his presence felt for San Juan with victories over FM Cesar Caturla of Surigao and NM Carlos Cabuenos of Toledo in the senior board.
Equally impressive was Negros, which overpowered Pasig Pirates, 16-5, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 17-4, to keep the top spot with a 20-3 slate.
Nelson Mariano III, Randy Segarra, Rowelyn Joy Acedo, Rosendo Bandal, Jr. and Joel Pimentel carried the fight for the Kingsmen.
Mariano, younger brother of GM Nelson Mariano II and former national women’s champion Christine Rose, held his ground to draw with GM Darwin Laylo of Pasig.
Segarra, Acedo, Bandal and Pimentel struck for victories in rapid in the Kingsmen’s triumph over the Pirates.
Against Quezon City, Negros notched the much-needed points from Segarra, Rayelyn Posadas, Pimentel and Junaico Segismar in rapid action.
Laguna Heroes and Caloocan Load Manna Knights also stayed within striking distance with identical 19-3 records in the North.
Laguna out dueled Camarines Soaring Eagles, 12.5-8.5, while Caloocan crushed Cebu City Matchers, 18-3, in a pair of keenly-watched encounters.
Laguna, however, was held to a 10.5-105. standoff by the Zamboanga Sultans, with the outcome to be decided in three Armageddon matches.
Caloocan also had one unfinished game.
Manila Indios Bravos split their assignments, beating Iriga City Oragons, 15-6, but losing to Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 9-12.
Rizal Batch Towers of playing coach GM Eugene Torre and team manager Eduardo Madrid, edged the Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 11-10, to improve to 15-7.
Rizal will also go into a three-game playoffs after settling to a 10.5-10.5 draw with Surigao later in the night.
In the South, the GM Rogelio Antonio-led Iloilo Kisela Knights demolished Cavite Spartans, 17-4, and Isabela Knight Raiders, 17-4, to move into a tie with Camarines at 19-4.
Zamboanga and Toledo share fourth to fifth places in the South with identical 13-9 slates.
Mindoro Tamaraws also moved up following a 14-7 win over Quezon City and 15.5-6.5 victory over Olongapo Rainbow.
The unique 24-team professional chess tournament sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is being held every Wednesday and Saturday.
Supporting tbe tournament is the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.
Standings
After 23 rounds
North
W L
San Juan 20 3
Laguna 19 3*
Caloocan 19 3*
Manila 16 7
Rizal 15 7*
Cavite 12 11
Pasig 11 12
Antipolo 10 13
Isabela 8 15
Olongapo 7 16
Quezon City 4 18*
Cagayan 4 19
South
Negros 20 3
Camarines 19 4
Iloilo 19 4
Toledo 13 9*
Zamboanga 13 9*
Lapu-Lapu 11 12
Mindoro 10 13
Cordova 7 16
Surigao 5 17*
Cebu 5 18
Iriga 3 19*
Palawan 2 21
* — with unfinished game
