THE Quezon City Simba's Tribe scored back-to-back victories against tough teams in the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup on Saturday, October 7.
Quezon City pulled off a close 11-10 wins against Rizal Batch Towers and Isabela Knights of Alexander.
"These were thrilling matches for Quezon City. We lost in the blitz portion against Rizal and Isabela but came back in the rapid play to escape with the win," said Samivin delos Santos, co-team manager of Quezon City Simba's Tribe.
A win by former National Interbank champion Danilo Ponay against National Master Elias Lao and a draw by National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. against Jonathan Jota in the rapid section helped Quezon City against Rizal.
Earlier, Rizal started the game strong by beating Quezon City, 6-1, in the blitz portion.
Quezon City, however, bounced back in the rapid play with victories by Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, Manilyn Cabungcag and Francis Talaboc.
Walt Allen Talan beat Joseph Navarro for Rizal's lone point in the rapid play.
Against Isabela, Ponay shocked National Master Geraldo Cabellon, Cabungcag crushed Diana Ramos-Banawa, Navarro waylaid Marvin Phua and Freddie outclassed Melchor Foronda in their rapid encounter to lift Simba's Tribe to another close win.
"Two matches, two wins. I'm proud of Team QC," said Dennis Alain Lladoc, also the co-team manager of the team that now carries a 3-4 win-loss record in the Northern Division of the tournament.
Other members of Quezon City Simba's Tribe are Freddie Talaboc, Justin Corpin, Kristian Paulo Cristobal, National Master Robert Arellano, National Master Robert Suelo Jr. and playing team captain Michaela Concio.
PCAP, the country's first play-for-pay chess league, is headed by its president Atty. Paul Elauria and chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua and is sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).