CEBU, Philippines — The Toledo-Xignex Trojans faltered in their quest for another historic feat.
This after the Southern Conference champions bowed to the Northern titleholders Pasig City King Pirates in the national finals of Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Season 3 SGM Wesley So Cup played on Saturday night, December 9, at chess.com platform.
Pasig, thus, claimed its fourth PCAP crown, vanquishing the tough fighting Trojans, 13-8, and 12.5-8.5, in their two-set title showdown.
The King Pirates drew first blood by trouncing Toledo, 6-1, in blitz and 7-all standoff in rapid play in the first match.
Pasig’s Woman National Master Rowelyn Acedo edge past Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia, International Master Cris Ramayrat bested National Master Edmundo Gatus, Jerome Villanueva outwitted Toledo team captain Bonn Rainauld Tibod, Kevin Arquero subdued IM Kim Steven Yap, and IM Eric Labog Jr. crushed NM Allan Pason for the coach Franco Camillo mentored Pasigueños five victories in blitz and a draw by Grandmaster Mark Paragua against FM David Elorta and GM Gombosuren Munkhgal against GM Richard Bitoon.
In the second frame, Pasig took blitz chess, 6.5-0.5, behind Paragua, Munkhgal, Arquero, IM Eric Labog Jr. and Mark Kevin Labog and a draw by WFM Sherily Cua.
In rapid chess, Toledo bounced back, beating Pasig, 8-6, but that was all the best they could muster.
Still, the Trojans can still hold their heads up high for etching their name in stone as the first Cebu team to reach the national finals of the tough tournament participated by the country’s cream of the crop in chess. – EBV