Naki Warriors leap to solo third place, Trojans chalk up most lopsided win

CEBU, Philippines —  The Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors scored another double victory while the Toledo City Trojans recorded what is by far their most lopsided win in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) last Saturday night.

Behind the efforts of National Master Edsel Montoya, Woman International Master Bernadette Galas, Anthony Makinano, Allan Pason, Brylle Arellano and Linky Yap, the Naki Warriors cruised past the Camarines Soaring Eagles, 14-7.

After a close 4-3 decision in the blitz, the Naki Warriors shot down the Eagles in rapid play, 10-4.

The Naki Warriors of playing team manager Aldwin Daculan then bested the Cebu City Machers, 13.5-7.5, in an all-Cebuano showdown to take the solo third place in the Southern Division standings of the third and season-ending PCAP Open Conference with a 5-2 win-loss record. The Machers stayed listless in six starts.

The Trojans, on the other hand, nailed their biggest triumph in the country’s first pro chess league, a 19.5-1.5 obliteration of the Mindoro Tamaraws.

Bannered by International Master Rico Mascarinas, NMs Rommel Ganzon and Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Richard Natividad, Redentor Nailon, Ronald Ganzon and lady player Jinky Catulay, the Trojans downed the Tamaraws in blitz, 5.5-1.5, before pulling off a 14-0 whitewash in rapid event.

The Trojans, however, could not sustain their momentum. Nevertheless, they put up a gallant stand before falling prey to the formidable Negros Kingsmen, 9.5-11.5.

Thus the Trojans dropped to 4-3 in a tie with the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, while the Kingsmen earned a share of the lead with the Iloilo Kisela Knights on identical 6-0 slates.

The Knights stayed unbeaten after crushing the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 16-5.

Cordova did not go home empty-handed though as it tamed the Iriga Oragons, 12.5-8.5, for its only second win in six matches.