by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Defending Champion Laguna Heroes and Southern Division top notcher Cordova Dagami Warrios routed their rivals to lead the semifinalists in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as GM Wesley So Cup Wednesday, July 21, via chess.com.
Photo shows Defending Champion Laguna Heroes headed by Team Owner Dr. Fred Paez paying a courtesy call on Laguna governor Ramil Laurel Hernandez last July 20.
The Heroes, backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, crushed the Pasig City Kings Pirates with 12-9 and 17.5-3.5 set victories in the Northern Division.
Cordova clobbered Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 13.5-7.5 and 14-7, in the Southern Division.
“I am happy because we have won the match. We will prepare for this week’s semi-final match,” Dr. Fred Paez said, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
The win set up Laguna for a semis duel with Manila Indios Bravos, who survived an Armageddon match against the Isabela Knight Raiders, 3-0.
The other semis pairing in the Northern Division pit the San Juan Predators and the Antipolo Cobras, who posted contrasting wins.
San Juan dominated the Cavite Spartans, 12-9 and 18-3, while Antipolo survived the Armageddon duel against the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 2-1, after splitting the first two sets, 16-5 and 9.5-11.5.
Supported by Dr. Ariel Potot, Cordova, meanwhile, has a semis date with Negros Kingsmen, who bested the Zamboanga Sultans, 13.5-7.5 and 12-9.
Camarines Soaring Eagles dumped Mindoro Tamaraws, 14.5-6.5 and 17.5-3.5, to clash with Iloilo Kisela Knights, winner over Toledo City Trojans, 15-6 and 15-6, in the other Final Four pairing.
Semifinals are scheduled on Saturday,July 24, while Division finals will be on July 28. The Grand Finals will be on July 31.
Matches are played in one blitz and one rapid formats composed of seven boards each.