Cavite squeaks past San Juan to climb at No.2 spot in PCAP North
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 04 Apr 2024
Manila---The Dasma Cavite Spartans proved that their dominant campaign in the ongoing Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) wasn’t a fluke after they defeated the heavily-favored former champions, the San Juan Predators, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
They crushed the Predators, 13.5-7.5, in a hard-fought duel.
The Spartans won the blitz round, 5.5-1.5, and they continued in the rapid round, 8-6.
GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., GM elect/IM Daniel Quizon and FM Roel Abelgas powered the Dasma Cavite Spartans. The 13-time Philippine Open champion Antonio swept IM Ricardo de Guzman in their blitz and rapid showdown, as did Quizon against FM Narquinden Reyes and Abelgas against Narciso Gumila.
"I’m very happy with my performance tonight," said Antonio, who will represent the country in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Europe later this year.
“GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. GM elect and IM Daniel Quizon and FM Roel Abelgas played very well and won the match,” said coach Benjie Bercadez.
Also delivering for Cavite were Kevin Arquero, NM Raymond Salcedo and a draw by IM MIchael Concio Jr.in the blitz portion.
Arquero shocked two-time Asian Junior champion GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla, Salcedo dealt Narquingel Reyes and Concio split the points with Karl Victor Ochoa.
WIM Kylen Joy Mordido, meanwhile defeated WIM Jan Jodlilyn Fronda in the rapid portion.
Meanwhile, Patrick Bonifacio and Joel Delfin spearheaded the Dasma Cavite Spartans into a 20-1 victory against guest team Pasig Grassroots.
Bonifacio bested Andrew San Antonio in the blitz round while Delfin drew with San Antonio in the rapid round.
"It was a tough match," said Bonifacio in his 1st PCAP appearance.
Manila Load Manna Knights widened their winning run further to 5-0 slate in the northern division. They beat Olongapo, 18-3, and the defending champion Pasig City King Pirates, 11.5-9.5.
Cavite’s wins against San Juan improved their record in the northern division to 3 wins with one defeat which is worth 59.5 points. San Juan is at the third place with 3 wins and one loss, followed by the Isabela Knights of Alexander at fourth with their 3-2 (win-loss) record.
Pasig City King Pirates slipped to fifth in the Northern Conference with a 2-2 mark, the same output of Cagayan Kings at sixth.
Also crucial are all six points taken from the Lady player Michella Concio, and the homegrown board of Freddie Talaboc and NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr.to help Quezon City Simba's Tribe into a 13.5-7.5 victory over Olongapo and jumped at seventh place with a 1-3 win-loss record.
Concio trounced Manilyn Cabungcag, Talaboc won by default over NM Gefer Imbuido and Bernardino nipped Andy Villanueva, both in blitz and rapid portions.
In the Southern Conference, Camarines Soaring Eagles maintained the lead with a 4-0 slate ahead of the Toledo-Xignex Trojans (3-1) and Iloilo Kisela Knights (3-1).
They beat Negros, 15-6, thanks to heroic wins of GM Darwin Laylo, WIM Bernadette Galas, IM Barlo Nadera and NM Ronald Llavanes in the blitz and rapid portions.
Laylo nipped Edsel Montoya, Galas blanked Cecille Reginaldo, Nadera smashed Alfredo Dumalag while Llavanes outpointed Theseus Benitez and Vincent Balena.
"We hope to sustain the momentum," said Camarines Soaring Eagles Team Owner Engr. Jojo Buenaventura.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league, is headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and Treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.-Marlon Bernardino-
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Team Standings:
(Northern Division)
Manila Load Manna Knights 5-0
Dasma Cavite Spartans 3-1
San Juan Predators 3-1
Isabela Knights of Alexander 3-2
Pasig City King Pirates 2-2
Cagayan Kings 2-2
Quezon City Simba's Tribe 1-3
Rizal Batch Towers 1-4
Olongapo 0-5
(Southern Division)
Camarines Soaring Eagles 4-0
Toledo-Xignex Trojans 3-1
Iloilo Kisela Knights 3-1
Davao Chess Eagles 3-2
Tacloban Vikings 3-2
Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates 2-3
Negros 2-3
Arriba Iriga 0-4
Mindoro Tamaraws 0-4
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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