Naki Warriors score twinkill; Trojans, Machers split games

The Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors nailed back-to-back victories while the Toledo City Trojans and the Cebu City Machers split their games against separate opponents in the All-Filipino Conference of the inaugural Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament played last Wednesday night on lichess platform.

Bannered by National Master Merben Roque, Aldwin Daculan, Bryle Arellano, Cristy Cabungcag, Odilon Badilles, Romeo Resuera, Neil Adrian Gilig, and Kraig Quinain, the Naki Warriors bested the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 13-8, and then downed the Iriga City Oragons, 14-7, to jump to fifth place in the Southern Division standings with a 6-5 win-loss record.

On the other hand, the Trojans of team owner Engr. Mardee Gacang De la Peña prevailed over the Palawan Queen’s Gambit, the country’s first all-female pro chess team, via a close 11.5-9.5 decision but stumbled before the International Master Chito Garma-led Zamboanga Sultans, 9-12.

Manned by playing team manager FA Felix Poloyapoy Jr., skipper Bonn Rainauld Tibod, International Master Rico Mascariñas, National Masters Rommel Ganzon and Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Ronald Ganzon, Richard Natividad, Glicerio Pardillo Jr., Christopher Tubalado, Jeah Jean Gacang, and Jinky Catulay, the Trojans are currently at seventh spot in the South bracket with an even 5-5 slate.

In the other result, the Machers of National Master Elwin Retanal, FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, International Artiber Linky Yap, Mark Mangubat, Cephas Seguisabal, Eduard De la Torre and Marphine Faith Mangubat were outclassed by the Mindoro Tamaraws, 5.5-15.5, but quickly bounced back with a 11.5-9.5 triumph over the slumping Palawan Queen’s Gambit for their only second win in 11 matches.

After bowing to LapuLapu, the Cordova Dagami Warriors of National Masters Edsel Montoya and Mario Mangubat, PCAP Vice Chairman Ariel Potot, Allan Pason, Rex Androe Cabuncal, Francisco Rivera, Bernadette Galas and Dione Patrick Minoza suffered a more stinging defeat at the hands of the mighty Negros Kingsmen, 4.5-16.5, that sent them to eighth place in the South with a 5-6 card.