Scores (RP unless stated):

2 points -- M. Kazhgaleyev (Kazakhstan), Z. Zhong (Singapore), W. So, S. Megaranto (Indonesia), J. Gonzales, S. Iuldachev (Uzbekistan), S. Li (China), Y. Wan (China), R. Bitoon, R. Bancod

1.5 -- M. Mchedlishvili (Georgia), E. Ghaemmaghami (Iran), N.N. Truong Son (Vietnam), M. Paragua, J. Gomez, D,T. Hai (Vietnam), Y. Wen (China), O. Dimakiling, D. Xiu (China), N.V. Huy (Vietnam), P. Roca

The absence of newly-crowned PGMA Cup champ GM Eugene Torres has not dampened the spirit of other Filipino chess masters in the second day of the 4th Prospero Pichay Cup international championship at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Parañaque City.

IMs Ronald Bancod and Richard Bitoon are in fact sharing the lead with other international masters in the tournament that started Sunday.

Following his king-sized upset win over eighth seed GM Marat Dzhumaev of Uzbekistan, Bancod claimed another major victory over compatriot No. 16 seed GM Darwin Laylo to join the list of early leaders.

Bancod finished with only three points for 66th place in the third PGMA Cup held recently.

However, his back-to-back victories over Dzhumaev and Laylo put him within a win of matching his nine-round total in the PGMA Cup after only two rounds.

Also posting an upset win was Bitoon, who pulled the rug from under eighth seed GM Zhou Weiqi of China.

Bitoon also won over Wang Xiaohui of China in the first round.

Bancod and Bitoon are now with the elite.

With them in the lead group (2 points) are top seed GM Murtas Kazhgaleyev of Kazakhstan, second seed GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore, sixth seed GM Wesley So, ninth seed GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, No. 10 seed GM Jayson Gonzales, No. 14 seed Gm Saidali Iuldachev of Uzbekistan and No. 15 GM Li Shilong and No. 21 Wan Yunguo of China.

Kazhgaleyev, who finished only fifth in the recent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup, subdued GM-candidate Julio Catalino Sadorra at the top board.

In other matches, Zhong defeated GM Bong Villamayor while So outplayed compatriot IM Ronald Dableo.

Megaranto beat Dino Ballecer and Gonzales downed Deniel Causo. Iuldachev outclassed IM Barlo Nadera while Li trounced IM Weiming Goh of Singapore. Meanwhile, Wan bested Haridas Pascua.

Those with 1.5

Eleven players, led by third seed MIkheil Mchedlishvili of Georgia and fourth seed GM Ehsan Gahem Maghami of Iran, shared 11 th to 21st places with 1.5 points.

Mchedlishvili, who dealt the only loss of newly-crowned PGMA Cup champion GM Eugene Torre, halved the point with GM-candidate John Paul Gomez, while Ghaemmaghami won over Rhobel Legapsi.

GM Mark Paragua, the second highest -placed Filipino in the PGMA Cup with six points, drew with Xiu Deshun of China to join those with 1.5 points.

Also with the same score were GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Dao Thien Hai and Nguyen Van Huy, all of Vietnam; GM Wen Yang of China, and Filipinos Gomez, Oliver Dimakiling and first-round sensation IM Petronio Roca.

At stake in the nine-round tournament, the second of the two-part chess extravaganza organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, are trophies and cash prizes amounting to $30,000.

The champion will bring home the top prize of $5,000, the runner-up, $4,000 and the third placer, $3,000.

The fourth placer will earn $2,000, the fifth placer $1,500, the sixth to 13th placers $1,000 and the 14th placer, $900.

The 15th-24th placers will also receive consolation cash prizes.