The San Juan Predators edged the Iloilo Kisela Knights, 2-1, in the Armageddon tiebreak for the second set to win the grand finals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.
FM Narquingden “Arden” Reyes displayed nerves of steel in the endgame to force a draw on the 50-move rule with only 1.2 seconds left in his clock, handling the black pieces against Karl Victor Ochoa in board two securing the Armageddon win and the title to the San Juan Predators virtually held at chess.com Platform on Saturday.
GM Oliver Barbosa scored a win using the white pieces against fellow GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. in board three while FM Nelson “Elo” Mariano III, employing white side could only manage a draw which is an Armageddon loss against loilo’s NM Rolly Parondo Jr. in board one.
The first set match ended with San Juan winning, 16-5. The San Juan Predators become the first team to not only win multiple PCAP Championships, but also win them back-to-back. They are looking forward to continue this streak and maybe a possible grand slam campaign coming into the Import Conference according to San Juan Predators team owner Michael Angelo Ong Chua (below right with San Juan Mayor Vico Sotto)..
“FM Arden (Narquingden Reyes) really is a clutch player, but all our players player really well,” said San Juan Predators team owner Michael Angelo Ong Chua.
In their storied rivalry, the Predators won against Iloilo twice in their three meetings in PCAP’s grand finals.
In last year’s inaugural season’s second conference, Iloilo defeated San Juan, but the latter avenged themselves in the third conference grand finals.
Other members of the winning team San Juan Predators are IM Rolando Nolte, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, IMRicardo de Guzman, FM Christopher Castellano, Narquingel “Archie” Reyes, Narciso Gumila, AGM Gavin Lloyd Ong, Shariz Ngo, head coach-manager Hubert Estrella and consultant Simeon Co.
Meanwhile, Pasig City King Pirates finished third overall place by defeating Davao Chess Eagles, 13-8.