by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—The Pasig City King Pirates beat the Negros Kingsmen with a 2-1 win in the sudden death or Armageddon to claim the title of the Wesley So Cup Grand Finals Open Conference held online at the Chess.com Platform on Saturday, Dec.10.
The GM Oliver Barbosa-GM Mark Paragua combo proved too much in the Armageddon. Barbosa toppled FIDE Master David Elorta on Board Two while Paragua trounced FIDE Master Ellan Asuela on Board Three to clinch the victory for the Pasig City King Pirates in the three-game playoff.
International Master Joel Pimentel averted a shutout for Negros when he defeated International Master Eric Labog Jr. on Board One.
The two teams went all out, with Negros team of National Master Tony Aguirre, Antonio Martin Olendo, Jeanshen Rosalem, Atty. Rodelio Solon and Atty. Marlon Padayhag winning the first match, 11-10, and Pasig team of Mayor Vico Sotto, Coach Franco Camillo and Expedito Bolico taking the second match,11-10, to send the match into Armageddon.
Wins by Woman International Master Bernadette Galas, Pimentel, Asuela and draws by National Master Edmundo Gatus and National Master Edsel Montoya made them dominate the rapid phase, 8-6, and claim the win for Negros in the first set.
Earlier Pasig beat Negros to take 4-3 lead in the blitz category.
Earlier Pasig beat Negros to take 4-3 lead in the blitz category.
In the second set, Barbosa, Woman FIDE Master Sherily Cua, International Master Chris Ramayrat Jr. and Labog won their respective matches to dominate the rapid phase, 8-6, and claim the win for Pasig to force Armageddon tie breaker.
Negros, on the other hand won the blitz game, 4-3.
Negros, on the other hand won the blitz game, 4-3.
In the battle for third place, Davao Chess Eagles defeated San Juan Predators, 11-10, in the event organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.
It shall be recalled that Pasig City King Pirates made chess history by winning the 2022 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess team championships last August.
And the Pirates did it by beating two of the league’s acknowledged super powers — two-time champion San Juan Predators and defending champion Iloilo Kisela Knights — in succession.