Cebu wood pushers struggle in PCAP online chess meet
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Cebu-based wood pushing teams had a rough outing in the ongoing Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online chess tournament on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
The highest-seeded Cebu-based squad, the Toledo City Trojans, beat the Cebu City Marchers in their first match but fell to the Iloilo City Kisela Knights in their second game.
The Trojans, who are currently fourth in the south division’s standings, scored 11.5 points to best the Marchers’ 9.5 output in their encounter. The Trojans, however, only mustered 4.0 points against the Kisela Knights’ 17 in their second match.
The Trojans now have 13 victories against 10 defeats to remain at fourth place behind Kisela Knights, 19-4 (win-loss) record. The Marchers, meanwhile, suffered their 18th loss with five wins on hand.
The Negros Kingsmen currently leads the south division with a 20-3 (win-loss) record, while the Camarines Soaring Eagles are at second with a 19-4 card.
Despite the loss, the Trojans’ playing manager, FIDE Arbiter (FA) Felix Poloyapoy Jr., told CDN Digital that they are confident to barge into the playoffs later this month.
“There are only nine games left in the second round robin. We only need to win half of these games to qualify for the playoffs,” Poloyapoy Jr. said. “We are currently at fourth place and we will do our best to stay in that position until the final elimination game.”
Only the top 8 teams will qualify for the playoffs.
The Trojans is comprised of International Master (IM) Rico Mascariñas, Glicerio Pardillo Jr., Jinky Catulay, Bonn Rainauld Tibod, Christopher Tubalado, Rommel Ganzon, Ronald Ganzon, Rogelio Enriquez Jr, Jean Jean Gacang, and Richard Natividad.
Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors remained in the hunt for a playoff spot after remaining in sixth place with an 11-12 (win-loss) record despite losses to the Mindoro Tamaraws and the Palawan Queen’s Gambit.
On the other hand, the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors remained in eighth place with a 7-16 slate. They dumped Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the first match, 13.5-7.5 but lost to the Soaring Eagles in the second, 5.5-15.5.
The next round is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2021. /rcg
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