MINDANAO’S quest for glory in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines ended on Wednesday night with the downfall of Davao Chess Eagles in the Southern division finals of the PCAP 2022 All-Filipino Conference.
The best performing Mindanao team in just their maiden official appearance in the league, the veterans-laden Davao Eagles surprised the top-seeded Iloilo Kisela Knights in a blitz duel, 4-3 of the first set. But the Grandmaster Joey Antonio-led Ilonggos mightily bounced back in rapid play and never let up in sweeping the Davawenyos in two sets, 12-9, 17-4.
“Grabe ang ganda ng laban. We lost the first match versus Ilo-ilo at 12-9, but it could have gone the other way around,” said lawyer Jong Guevarra Jr, co-team owner of the Davao Chess Eagles that outperformed the other Mindanao teams ― Zamboanga Sultans, Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, Cagayan de Oro Higalas ― that, at least, managed to reach the quarterfinals.
The Kisela Knights, winner of PCAP’s Wesley So Cup, will meet the GM Oliver Barbosa-powered San Juan Predators in the grand finals on Saturday night.
Installed as the slight underdog despite ruling the 3rd Conference last season, the San Juan Predators (29-5) managed to regroup in upstaging the league-leading Pasig King Pirates (33-1) of GM Mark Paragua, 2-0 for the Northern Division title in similar 11.5-9.5 margin.
“Very unpredictable talaga ang mga results kasi isang talo lang ang Pasig in 34 matches before their rematch with San Juan,” said US Master and sports journalist Marlon Bernardino.
“Kusog sab gyod kaayo ang mga teams sa PCAP labi na sa North. So, garbo na kaayo nga makaabot sa playoff round,” National Master Levi Mercado of CMOCA Higalas told Gold Star Daily.
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