by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The Cavite Spartans catapulted themselves into the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup quarterfinals with a gruelling 11-10, 11-10, doucle victory over the Cagayan Kings Saturday, July 17, 2021 held online at chess.com platform.
Veteran Olympian International Master Petronio Roca defeated Lambert Arugay in Board 4 while Melizah Ruth Carreon halved the point with April Joy Ramos in Board 3 as well Renie Malupa split the point with John Robert Bumatay in Board 7 to help propel the General Trias City, Cavite woodpushers into 8-6 victory in the rapid game.
It was a sorry loss for Cagayan Kings after sub-import Grandmaster Alexei Barsov and Robert Mania lost via forfeiture against Lourecel Hernandez Ecot and Lloyd Rubio in Board 2 and Board 5, respectively.
Don Tyrone Delos Santos and Jake Tumaliuan carried the fight for Mr. Larry Dumadag and Atty. Joel Butuyan co-team owner of Cagayan Kings after beating National Master Marlon Bernardino and Jayson San Jose Visca in Board 1 and Board 6, in that order.
Cagayan Kings won the blitz portion, 4-3.
According to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr. Theo Panga, Cavite Spartans needed to beat twice Cagayan Kings to advance to the quarter-finals/play-offs.
“It was very difficult and that was what we expected. Going into the game that we need to win twice against heavyweight Cagayan Kings.” said Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr.Theo Panga, one of the staunch supporters of Cavite Spartans.
“It was just one of those precious games where we were able to pull it off down the stretch. And I’m happy again for the focus the guys had at the end of the game.” added Sportsman/Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer, another supporter of Cavite Spartans.
Other members of victorious Cavite Spartans, backed by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr. Theo Panga, are Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer, Mayor Ony Ferrer, Mam Lhen Muralla Kempiz, Mam Elvira Roca of Skin Magical District 4 ,Carsigma, Cavite and JC Premiere, Ederwin Estavillo (playing coach), Israel Landicho (playing coach), AGM Voltaire Marc Paraguya and Stephen Von Estavillo.
With the win, the Cavite Spartans will face Northern Division elimination top notcher Michael Ong Chua team San Juan Predators on Wednesday.
In other results, Isabela Knight Raiders led by International Master Emmanuel Senador and National Master Gerardo Cabellon defeated Quezon City Simba’s Tribe bannered by FIDE Master Roberto Suelo Jr. and Mr. Danilo Ponay in 2nd set 14.5-6.5, after suffering 10-11 loss in 1st set.
In the Southern Division, Mindoro Tamaraws headed by US Master Rainier Labay and siblings Emmanuel and Joselito Asi subdued Palawan Queen’s Gambit in 2 sets, 11-10, 14-7, advanced to the playoffs alongside Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates of NM Jonathan Tan and AIM Rey Urbiztondo, winner over Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors of NM Edsel Montoya and Anthony Makinano , 13-8.
Byron Gabrentina Villar and Mark Anthony Dulatre, both Fide National Arbiter served as arbiters in the chess match.
Quarter-Finals, July 21, 2021
(Northern Division)
San Juan versus Cavite
Caloocan versus Antipolo
Manila versus Isabela
Laguna versus Pasig
(Southern Division)
Cordova versus Surigao
Negros versus Zamboanga
Camarines versus Mindoro
Iloilo versus Toledo
A file photo shows Cavite Spartans chess team paying a courtesy call to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Mr.Theo Panga, one of the staunch supporter of the said team.
A file photo shows Cavite Spartans chess team paid a courtesy call to Rep. Jon-Jon Ferrer and Mayor Ony Ferrer of General Trias City, Cavite