Toledo-Xignex Trojans End Camarines Soaring Eagles PCAP Journey, Face Manila Loadmanna Knights in Finale
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 May 2024
CEBU---Toledo-Xignex Trojans successfully punched a ticket to the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) – 1st Conference All Filipino Cup Season 4 Grand Finals.
Toledo edged Camarines Soaring Eagles, 10.5-10.5, 2-1, 8-13, 2-1, in the Southern Division Finals being held through Chess.com Platform Wednesday night, May 22, 2024.
In the 1st set, the Cebuanos had a hard time in the opening blitz, holding Camarines to a 3.5-all stand off. They also split the points, 7-all, in the rapid game to forge an Armageddon tie-break.
According to International Arbiter and National Master Lincoln "Linky" Yap, in chess, the Armageddon is a variation of the blitz event where a drawn game is counted as a win for the black pieces. By nature, an Armageddon game cannot end in a draw and black also starts with less time on the clock than white.
In the 1st Armageddon, International Master Kim Steven Yap defeated FIDE Master Giovanni Mejia while Chin Lim shocked Grandmaster Darwin Laylo to lead the Trojans of Atty. Jeah Gacang and John Signe to victory.
International Master Joel Pimentel, meanwhile, bowed to FIDE Master Ellan Asuela of Camarines.
In the 2nd set, Laylo whipped Pimentel, Asuela subdued Lim, Woman International Master Bernadette Galas crushed Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia, Coellier Graspela toppled Diego Abraham Capariño and a drawn by Virgen Gil Ruaya against National Master Merben Roque to lead the Soaring Eagles of Engr. Jojo Buenaventura to 9-5 victory in the rapid play to forge another Armageddon tie-break.
Camarines also bested Toledo, 4-3, in the blitz play.
In the 2nd Armageddon, Kim beat Mejia while Lim upset Laylo. Asuela trounced Pimentel but not enough to power Camarines.
"Toledo-Xignex Trojans played well," said Camarines Soaring Eagles Coach National Master Ronald llavanes.
"I am very happy. It was a nice gift for my birthday, making it to the PCAP Grand Finals," said Yap, who celebrated his 36th birthday last Tuesday.
In the North, Manila Loadmanna Knights outplayed San Juan Predators, 15-6 and 11-10, to arranged a titular showdown with Toledo.
“It will be a very good match up given the similarities of our team composition and team structure. Without a doubt, Manila is fired up and determined to claim, as much as we do, the championship trophy. It will boil down to final preparation, board placement, sharpness of play during the match, internet connection, and some element of luck. Both teams being the most consistent grand final contenders from start to date, we can’t be more happy with our performance. All the same, may the best team wins," said 8-time Illinois USA champion International Master Angelo Abundo Young, another key player of Toledo that includes International Master Rico Mascarinas, National Master Edmundo Gatus, Allan Pason, among others.
"I couldn't be prouder of you all for winning the Southern Division Finals and defending our title. Your hardwork and teamwork have been amazing! As we head to the Grand Finals, let's remember that our unity got us here. Together, we can win it all. Let's make it happen. " said Toledo co-team owner Atty. Jeah Gacang.
PCAP, the country’s first play-for-pay league, is headed by PCAP President Atty. Paul Elauria, chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua, PCAP treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal and Technical Committee chairman Engr. Jojo Buenaventura and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land, Buenaviel, Nova Wellness and PC Worx and sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo: Toledo-Xignex Trojans led by co-team owner Atty. Jeah Gacang (3rd from left) received the PCAP's Community Service Special Award. Others in photo from left: Team Capt. Bonn Rainauld Tibod, IM Rico Mascariñas, FA Felix Poloyapoy Jr., co-team owner John Signe and IM Kim Steven Yap.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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