Cebu teams cap inter-division play with wins

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu teams Toledo Trojans, Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors, Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, and Cebu City Machers posted wins at the end of inter-division play in the inaugural Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament played Saturday night on lichess platform.

The Trojans, manned by playing co-team owner Atty. Jeah Jean Gacang, team manager FA Felix Poloyapoy Jr., skipper Bonn Rainauld Tibod, IM Rico Mascariñas, NMs Rommel Ganzon and Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Ronald Ganzon, Richard Natividad, Glicerio Pardillo Jr., Christopher Tubalado, and Jinky Catulay, got whipped by the San Juan Predators, 5.5-15.5, but managed to trounce the Antipolo Cobras, 15.5-5.5.

With a pending game against the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, the Trojans are currently at jointh fourth and figth spots in the Southern Conference standings with the Zamboanga Sultans on identical 13-9 win-loss records.

On the other hand, the Naki Warriors of NM Merben Roque, Aldwin Daculan, Bryle Arellano, Cristy Cabungcag, Odilon Badilles, Romeo Resuera, Neil Adrian Gilig, and Kraig Quinain bowed to the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 6.5-14.5, but quickly bounced back with a 12-9 beating the Manila Indios Bravos.

The Naki Warriors thus stayed at solo sixth place with an 11-12 slate.

Like their fellow Cebuano contenders, the Dagami Warriors and the Machers also split their games as they head into the third round of competition in the country’s first ever pro chess league.

The Dagami Warriors, bannered by NMs Edsel Montoya and Mario Mangubat, PCAP Vice Chairman Ariel Potot, Allan Pason, Rex Androe Cabuncal, Francisco Rivera, Bernadette Galas and Dione Patrick Minoza, prevailed over the Isabela Knight Raiders, but fell prey to Caloocan, 7-14.

The Machers of NM Elwin Retanal, FM Anthony Makinano, IA Linky Yap, Mark Mangubat, Cephas Seguisabal, Eduard De la Torre and Marphine Faith Mangubat was slammed by Caloocan, 3-18, but subdued the Cagayan Kings, 12-9.

Cordova remained at eighth in the South bracket with a 7-16 card while Cebu City is at 10th with only five victories in 23 matches.