Manila Indios Bravos-Manila Load Manna Knights edge Toledo-Xignex Trojans to claim first PCAP crown
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 May 2024
Manila---Manila Indios Bravos-Manila Load Manna Knights scored back-to-back wins against Toledo-Xignex Trojans in the two-game finals to claim their first title of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) – 1st Conference All Filipino Cup Season 4 Grand Finals virtually held on Saturday night, May 25, 2024 via chess.com platform.
So hungry for the title, the Atty. Arnel Batungbakal backed Manila Indios Bravos-Manila Load Manna Knights won’t be denied this time as they found the missing piece to finally untangle the jigsaw puzzle that is the Atty. Jeah Gacang and John Signe backed Toledo-Xignex Trojans.
The Load Manna Knights, led by their International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina were on pace for a cruise control after taking Set 1, 11-10.
Also stepping up their games were WFM Shania Mae Mendoza, IM Chito Garma, Alji Cantonjos, and a draw by FM David Elorta and FM Deniel Causo won 5-2 in the first blitz duel.
However, the Xignex Trojans dominated the rapid, 8-6, but not enough to power their team.
Set 2 saw Causo, WNM Arvie Lozano, Garma, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Bersamina winning their respective matches as Load Manna Knights won the second blitz duel, 5-2.
The Load Manna Knights beat Xignex Trojans, 9-5, in the second rapid game to win Set 2, 14-7.
The Load Manna Knights led by Elorta, Bersamina, Garma, Daryl Unix Samantilla and a draw by Ryan Dungca.
Other members of the victorious Manila Load Manna Knights were GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, CM Genghis Imperial, Jovert Valenzuela, Jhulo Guloran and John Ernie Polancos Maraan.
"I think it was our resiliency that brought us towards the end," said coach Val Mendoza.
"It was a good game but I think we wanted it more," he added.
“Overall it was really a team effort,” the last word of coach Mendoza.
Before battling Xignex Trojans in the finals, Manila finished No. 3 in the Northern Conference with a 21-4 record behind the San Juan Predators (22-3) and the defending champion Pasig City King Pirates (21-4).
The Load Manna Knights went on to beat the Quezon City Simba's Tribe, 15 -6, 16 -5, in the quarterfinal round, Pasig , 13.5-7.5, 14-7, in the semi-final round and San Juan, 15-6, 11-10, in the North finals.
Toledo, on the other hand, finished No. 2 in the Southern Conference with a 17-8 record behind the Camarines Soaring Eagles (20-5).
But after beating the Arriba Irigain the quarters, 21-0, 21-0, and Davao Chess Eagles, 14-5-6.5, 14.5-6.5, in the semis, Toledo pulled the rug from under Camarines, 10.5-10.5, 2-1, 13-8, 2-1, to rule the Southern Conference.
In the battle for third, Camarines defeated San Juan.
The tournament was organized by PCAP, headed by President/Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria , Chairman Michael Angelo Chua, PCAP treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal and Technical Committee chairman Engr. Jojo Buenaventura and sanctioned by the Games and amusements Board (GAB), led by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.
It is supported by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land Premier, Buenaviel, Nova Wellness, Starshots Coffee, Ortigas Malls, Estancia, Seiko, Davies, Petrochem, Sudeco, CDCI, Chess.com and PC Worx.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Waiting to beat Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 02 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 02 Apr 2026Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 02 Apr 2026BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
Thu, 02 Apr 2026Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
Wed, 01 Apr 2026Jimuel in Action on Friday!
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 01 Apr 2026“Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
Wed, 01 Apr 2026Is Floyd chickening out?
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 01 Apr 2026Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Apr 2026IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
Wed, 01 Apr 2026PBF president Almario dies
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Apr 2026