Cebu teams try to sustain hot start in PCAP tourney

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu teams Toledo City Trojans, Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors  will try to sustain their hot start while the Cebu City Machers hope to bounce back from an opening day loss as action in the inaugural Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament resumes today with two dozen games on tap.

The Toledo Trojans, managed by Engr. Mardee Gacang De la Peña and powered by International Master Rico Mascarinas and National Master Rogelio Enriquez Jr., are raring to follow up their 13-8 beating of the Machers when they take on the Grandmaster Joey Antonio-led Iloilo Kisela Knights at 7 p.m. and then the Naki Warriors of Lapu-Lapu in another all-Cebuano showdown at 9 p.m.

Lapu-Lapu, which kicked off its campaign with a close 11.5- 9.5 decision over the Mindoro Tamaraws, will heavily depend on NM Merben Roque, Brylle Arellano and Odilon Badilles in its search for another win in the country’s first ever pro chess tilt.

Before taking on Toledo, Lapu-Lapu will tackle the Palawan Queen’s Gambit, Phl’s first all-female professional chess team, at 7 p.m.

Like their townmates, the Cebu City Machers and the Cordova Dagami Warriors also have a heavy two-game workload tonight.

Composed of the Saudi Arabia-based NM Elwin Retanal, Anthony Makinano, and International Arbiter Linky Yap, the Machers will first battle the formidable Zamboanga Sultans before mixing it up with Iloilo’s Kisela Knights.

Zamboanga, one of the strongest contenders in Southern Division, is bannered by IM Chito Garma and a trio of NMs in Zulfikar Sali, Joey Albert Florendo, and Paulo James Florendo.

Cordova, on the other hand, will square off against Zamboanga and the Camarines Soaring Eagles, who boast of GM Mark Paragua in their eight-man roster.

Manned by ace players Edsel Montoya, Allan Pason, and Mario Mangubat, the Dagami Warriors previously slammed the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 13.5-7.5, to serve early notice of their title aspirations. — EBV