SAN JUAN Predators overpowered Lapu-Lapu Cty Naki Warriors, 16-5, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 13.5-7.5, while Iloilo Kisela Knights outplayed Pasig Pirates, 11.5-9.5, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18.5-2.5, to keep the lead in their respective divisions in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino tournament.
Reigning national women’s champion WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IM Ricardo de Guzman and Narciso Gumila swept their respective assignments to lead the Predators to a convincing victory over the Naki Warriors.
Fronda trounced Christy Cabungcag, De Guzman crushed Odilon Badilles and Gumila demolished Romeo Resuera to deliver nine points for the Predators of coach Hubert Estrella.
GM Oliver Barbosa settled for two draws with Merben Roque of Lapu-Lapu City on board one.
FM Narquinden Reyes led San Juan’s hard-earned triumph over Mindoro with a two-game sweep of Sherwin Tiu on board two.
Barbosa split his matches against FM David Elorta and Fronda defeated Michella Concio in rapid after a draw in blitz.
Domingo Ramos of Mindoro upset De Guzman in their rapid encounter.
The twin victories over the two Southern Conference contenders enabled San Juan to assume the solo lead with 17 wins aganst two losses.
Caloocan, bannered by IMs Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, defeated Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 14-7, to improve to 16-2.
Caloocan’s match against the Toledo City Trojans was placed under inquiry.
Sharing the limelight were the Laguna Heroes, who subdued Negros Kingsmen, 12.5-8.5, and Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 18-3, to move up to 16-3; and Rizal Towers, who overwhelmed Iriga City Oragons, 15-6, and Lapu-Lapu, 12-9, to climb to 13-6 in a tie with the Manila Indios Bravos in the Northern Conference.
The Iloilo Kisela Knights of GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., Karl Viktor Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia and Cesar Mariano struck hardest for Iloilo, which bounced back from a heartbreaking 7.5-13.5 setback to the Rizal Towers. last Saturday.
Camarines Soaring Eagles, led by GM Mark Paragua, edged Manila, 11.5-9.5, and Cavite Spartans, 13-8, to forge a three-way tie for the top spot in the Southern Conference with Iloilo and Negros similar 16-3 records.
The Kingsmen outduelled the Antipolo Cobras, 15-6, a few hours after their loss to Laguna.
Joel Pimentel, Nelson Mariano III, Rowelyn Joy Acedo, Rosendo Bandal, Rolzon Roulo and Adrian de la Cruz provided the much-needed victories in the rapid chess for the Kingsmen.
Earlier, GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. of Laguna defeated Mariano in rapid after they drew in blitz in their board one showdown that clinched the narrow victory for the Heroes.
PCAP is headed by Michael Angelo Chua, chairman; Atty. Paul Elauria, president; and Atty. Arnel Batungbakal, treasurer.
Standings
After 19 rounds
North
W L
San Juan 17 2
Caloocan 16 2*
Laguna 16 3
Manila 13 6
Rizal 13 6
Cavite 9 10
Pasig 9 10
Antipolo 8 11
Isabela 7 12
Olongapo 5 13*
Quezon City 4 15
Cagayan 4 15
South
Negros 16 3
Iloilo 16 3
Camarines 16 3
Toledo 11 7*
Zamboanga 11 8
Mindoro 8 11
Lapu-Lapu 8 11
Cordova 6 12*
Surigao 5 14
Cebu 4 15
Palawan 2 17
Iriga 2 17
* — One unfinished game
