by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA–Pasig City King Pirates and Davao Chess Eagles advanced to the finals of their respective divisions in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup season 2 online chess tournament held at Chess.com Platform on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Pasig brought down Manila Indios Bravos of Atty. Joey Elauria and Val Mendoza, 14.5-6.5, 8.5-12.5, and 2-1 in Armageddon in the Northern Division, while Davao survived Toledo City Trojans,11.5-9.5, 10.5-10.5, and 2-1 Armageddon in the Southern Division.
IM Eric Labog Jr. toppled FM Deniel Causo, while GM Mark Paragua escaped in a losing position against FM Nelson “Elo” Mariano III to clinch the victory for Pasig team of Mayor Vico Sotto, coach Franco Camillo and Expedito Bolico in the three-game playoffs.
IM Ronald Dableo averted a shutout for Manila when he defeated GM Oliver Barbosa.
The two teams went all out, with Pasig winning the first match, 14.5-6.5, and Manila taking the second match, 8.5-12.5, to send the match into Armageddon.
In the North final, Pasig will meet San Juan Predators of PCAP chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua and coach Hubert Estrella, 11.5-9.5 and 14.5-6.5 winner over inaugural PCAP All-Filipino Conference champion Laguna Heroes of Dr. Fred Paez in the other semifinal.
Over in the South, Davao team of Atty. Jong Guevarra and team captain Chris Yap relied on FM Austin Jacob Literatus and FM Sander Severino to eliminate the hard-fighting Toledo side.
Literatus subdued Ronald Ganzon while Severino nipped NM Merben Roque. However, NM Dale Bernardo was beaten by Allan Pason of Toledo.
Davao’s championship opponent is Negros Kingsmen of Antonio Martin Olendo and Jeanshen Rosalem, who swept Iloilo Kisela Knights of team owner Leo Sotaridona, 13.5 – 7.5, and 12.5 – 8.5.
PCAP, the country’s first play-for-pay league, is headed by PCAP President Atty. Paul Elauria, sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx and sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board in close cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines led by chairman/president Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr.