San Juan Predators score back-to-back wins in PCAP chessfest

Defending champion San Juan Predators subdued Camarines-Iriga Eagles, 12-9, and Tacloban Vikings, 17.5-3.5, while Negros Kingsmen overwhelmed Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18-3, and Rizal Towers, 15-6, to keep the lead in their respective divisions in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference chess team championships recently.

IM Paulo Bersamina, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and IM Ricardo de Guzman led the Predators’ back-to-back victories over the Eagles in the 14th round and the Vikings in the 15th round for a 14-1 win-loss record in the Northern Division.

Bersamina whipped Samson Lim of Camarines, 3-0, and Melvin Merelos of Tacloban, 3-0; Garcia bested Ruther Barredo, 2-1, and Jimmy Ty, Jr., 3-0; Fronda outclassed Isabel Pabilino, 3-0, and Catherine Pojas, 3-0; and De Guzman blanked Roger Pesimo, 3-0, and Eladio Lim III, 2.5-.5, for San Juan’s dominant showing.

Former titlist Laguna Heroes swept Tacloban Vikings, 19.5-1.5, and Cebu Machers, 17.5-3.5, to match San Juan’s frontrunning 14-1 slate.

The Predators, however,  have 233 points against the Heroes’ 217 points.

Leading the way for the Dr. Fred Paez-owned Heroes are GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., FM Roel Abelgas, WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego and IM Angelo Young.

Camarines-Iriga bounced back from a sorry defeat to San Juan with a hard-fought 10.5-10.5 (2-1 Armageddon) victory over two-time champion Pasig Pirates later in the night.

Ruther Barredo shocked IM Idelfonso Datu and NM Ronald Llavanes outwitted Kevin  Arquero for Camarines’ two victories in the three-game playoffs.

Veteran IM Cris Ramayrat, Jr. was the lone winner for Pasig with a victory over NM Glennen Artuz.

Negros relied on FM Ellan Asuela, who clobbered Marlon Bernardino, 3-0,  FM Mari Joseph Turqueza, who crushed Savimin de los Santos, 3-0, and GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., who  outplayed Danilo Ponay, 3-0, in  Negros’ 18-3 triumph over Quezon City.

Antonio humbled  IM Elias Lao, 3-0, and Kristel Shayne Herrera overpowered Kelly Ann David, 3-0, as Negros escaped Rizal, 15-6.

Also sweeping their matches were Manila Indios Bravos, who won over Cebu Machers, 17-4, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 17-6; Davao Eagles, who overwhelmed Cavite Spartans,.12.5-8.5, and Isabela Knights of Alexander, 18.5-2.5; and Toledo Trojans, who toppled Mandaluyong Tigers, 12-9, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 13-8.