The Dasmarinas Cavite Spartans defeated the heavily-favored former champions, the San Juan Predators on April 3, 2024 in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All Filipino Conference.
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. (above) GM elect/IM Daniel Quizon and FM Roel Abelgas powered the Dasmarinas 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.
Antoniio will represent the country in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Europe later this year.
Also delivering for Cavite were Kevin Arquero, NM Raymond Salcedo and a draw by IM MIchael Concio Jr. in the blitz portion. Cavite is coached by Benjie Bercadez.
Arquero shocked two-time Asian Junior champion GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla, Salcedo dealt Narquingel Reyes and Concio split the point with Karl Victor Ochoa.
WIM Kylen Joy Mordido defeated WIM Jan Jodlilyn Fronda in the rapid portion.
Meanwhile, Patrick Bonifacio (above) 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.
Manila Load Manna Knights widened their lead 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 4-0 slate behind 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.
Camarines Soaring Eagles Team are headed by 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