by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA--Richessmasters (RCM) Viper, Ligon Sports Betting-Army and Top Secret pulled off similar impressive victories to keep a share of the lead after Sunday’s fourth round of the Maharlika Pilipinas Chess League's  Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival Side Event (Team 3 on 3) at the Family Country Hotel Function Room in General Santos City.

RCM Viper dumped Team Sagasa, 2-1, Ligon Sports Betting-Army subdued TLB Resources, 2.5-0.5, while Top Secret routed Team Province of Bulacan, 2-1, to stay ahead with 8 match points.
Ariel Potot outclassed Richard Kurt David on board two while Jeriel Malimbana humbled Samson Chhiu Chhin Lim on board three to lead RCM Viper to victory. Fide Master David Elorta averted a shutout for Team Sagasa when he toppled Allan Cantonjos on board one.
Ligon Sports Betting-Army struck on victories by Christian Arroyo over Rommel Llavanes, Kevin Mirano over Phil Martin Casiguran and National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca's draw with National Master Mark Jay Bacojo.
International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Jian Carlo Rivera carried the good fight for Top Secret after beating Nazario Ubanan and Vince Duane Pascual, respectively.
Rowell Roque crushed Vladimir Gonzales for Team Province of Bulacan's lone point.
Earlier, RCM Viper trounced Team Yvanchuk, 2-1, Aqua Eternal, 2-1, and Intchess Asia, 2-1, Ligon Sports Betting-Army waylaid Atty. Kan Balleque, 3-0, Trumph Motorcycle Corporation, 3-0, and Team Davao Sur Woodpusher, 2-1, while Top Secret smashed, Chessmates, 2.5-0.5, CCC-CRD Lapu-Lapu City, 2.5-0.5, and Romblon Chess Club, 2.5-0.5.
The P300,000 top purse event organized by the MPCL headed by IM Hamed Nouri and Alex Dinoy and backed by President Bong Bong Marcos, the NCFP, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.-Marlon Bernardino-