MANILA – Negros Kingsmen once again showed dominance in Saturday’s match of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup after mauling Laguna Heroes and Isabela Knight Raiders.
The Kingsmen commenced the double-header with a 12.5-8.5 beating of Laguna Heroes and followed it up with 15.5-5.5 victory against the Isabela Knight Raiders to improve to a 9-7 record.
After a 3.5-3.5 deadlock by Heroes in a blitz game, the Kingsmen ruled the rapid event following wins by Randy Segarra (Board 1), Joel Pimentel (Board 4), and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7) and draws by Steven Breckenridge (Board 2), Kajoy Acedo (Board 3), and Nelson Bandal Jr. (Board 4).
Blitz victories by Breckenridge (Board 1), Acedo (Board 3), Pimentel (Board 5), Roullo (Board 6), and Nayk Segismar (Board 7) and a draw by Segarra (Board 2) allowed Negros to oust Isabela.
The Kingsmen also edged the Knight Raiders in the rapid event via triumphs by Breckenridge (Board 1), Bandal (Board 4), Pimentel (Board 5), Roullo (Board 6), and Segismar (Board 7).
“We feel very good. We did well in both matches. We won against the reigning PCAP champion. We hope to do even better in the succeeding matches and improve our overall standing,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Atty. Jason Bandal.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Kisela Knights faltered in their opening game against Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 11-10, before bouncing back against Antipolo Cobras, 12.5-8.5, for an 11-4 slate.
The Kisela Knights struggled heavily against the Cobras in the blitz event, with Cesar Mariano securing a win in Board 4 and John Michael Silvederio forcing a draw in Board 5.
Iloilo managed to topple Antipolo in the rapid event behind wins by Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Mariano (Board 4), Silvederio (Board 5), and Dennis Bernas (Board 6) and draws by Kamil Dragun (Board 1), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 2), and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 7).
“The matches are intense,” said Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona. “While we lost against Caloocan, it is encouraging to see Filipino players faring well against some of the foreign players.”/PN
