MANILA – The San Juan Predators clinched their third Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) title after beating the Iloilo Kisela Knights in their two-leg encounter, 19-2 (first set) and 11.5-9.5 (second set) in the grand finals on Saturday night, Nov. 27, virtually held on the chess.com platform.
“The results belie the fierce competition that happened during this Championship Round. Perhaps the one big factor this time around is that San Juan Predators stayed focused and kept the fiery determination not to have a repeat of the second conference. Congratulations to all the players of both teams.!” San Juan Predators Team Owner and PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua said.
International Master Rolando Nolte, Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa, Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda, International Master Ricardo de Guzman, Fide Master Narquingden Reyes, Narciso Gumila and Narquingel Reyes delivered victories for Predators after beating Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., National Master Karl Victor Ochoa, Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia, National Master Cesar Mariano, National Master Fritz Bryan Porras, National Master John Michael Silvederio and Mark Jossel Mariano 7-0, in the blitz portion in the first set.
In the rapid play (first set), 12-2, only Antonio who survived after subduing Nolte in their top board encounter.
However in the second set of the blitz category, Barbosa, De Guzman, FM Reyes, Reyes and Gumila combined forces to spearheaded Predators into 5.5-1.5 victory.
In the rapid play (second set), Antonio, Mejia, Silvederio and Porras won their respective matches but the effort was not good enough to help lift their team.
The Kisela Knights won the rapid play, 8-6. However, the Predators had a total output of 11.5 that was better than the 9.5 for Kisela Knights to prevent a possible armageddon tie breaker.
Meanwhile, Atty. Arnel Batungbakal of Caloocan Loadmanna Knights bested Penang, Malaysia, 14.5-6.5, in the battle for third. (PR) – bny
