Toledo Trojans, Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors split games in PCAP tourney

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu bets Toledo City Trojans and Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors split their games in the continuing All-Filipino Conference action of the inaugural Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament played last Saturday night on lichess platform.

The Trojans, manned by playing team manager Felix Poloyapoy Jr., International Master Rico Mascariñas, National Masters Rommel Ganzon and Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Ronald Ganzon, Richard Natividad, Glicerio Pardillo Jr., Christopher Tubalado, and lady players Atty. Jeah Jean Gacang and Jinky Catulay, bowed to the Negros Kingsmen via a close 9.5-11.5 decision.

Though on the losing end, the Bonn Rainauld Tibod-skippered Trojans of team owner Engr. Mardee Gacang De la Peña can still hold their heads up for putting up a highly competitive fight against a formidable Negros squad stacked with titled players in FIDE Masters Nelson Mariano III, Rosendo B. Bandal Jr., and Randy Segarra, Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy Acedo, International Master Joel Pimentel, and National Master Rolzon Roullo.

Most importantly, the Trojans did not dwell on that setback as they readily bounced back with a 15.5-8.5 triumph over the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates.

The Trojans thus raised their win-loss record to 3-2 in a tie with the Naki Warriors of Lapu-Lapu. They are currently at joint fourth and fifth place behind the unbeaten Camarines Soaring Eagles, Iloilo Kisela Knights, and Negros Kingsmen in the Southern Conference standings.

The Naki Warriors, led by NM Merben Roque and playing team owner Aldwin Daculan backed up by Bryle Arellano, Cristy Cabungcag, Odilon Badilles, Romeo Resuera, and Neil Adrian Gilig, outclassed the NM Elwin Retenal and Anthony Makinano-led Cebu City Machers, 13-8, in an all-Cebuano showdown, but later on got crushed by Iloilo, 5-16.

The listless Machers, on the other hand, continued their downward spiral after suffering their fifth straight defeat in as many starts at the hands of Negros,  3-18. — EBV