MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen were both on a winning track in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights started the evening with 11-10 domination over the first conference champions Laguna Heroes and followed it up with a 16-5 beating of Isabela Knight Raiders.
The Iloilo-based chess squad now holds a 16-5 win-loss record.
Against the Heroes, the Kisela Knights ruled the blitz event, 4-3, courtesy of Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Dennis Bernas, and John Michael Silvederio.
Iloilo was held to a 7-7 draw by Laguna in the rapid category after Mejia and Silvederio emerged as victors, while Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Mariano, and Bernas settled for a draw.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo squad bounced back against Isabela in the blitz play, following wins by Gabuzyan, Karl Victor Ochoa, Mejia, Porras, and Silvederio.
Victories from Gabuzyan, Joey Antonio, Porras, Silvederio, and Bernas and a draw by Mariano forced Kisela Knights to control the rapid game over the Knight Raiders.
“A victory against Laguna re-affirmed that Iloilo is definitely back,” said Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona. “Credit goes to our lady, senior and homegrown players for their good showing.”
On the other hand, the Negros Kingsmen posted double wins on Wednesday night after mauling Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 17-4, and an 11-10 beating of Pasig City King Pirates for a 12-9 slate.
Against Quezon City, Negros was triumphant in the blitz play on wins by Steven Breckenridge, Kajoy Acedo, Jason Bandal Jr., Joel Pimentel, and Adrian dela Cruz. Nelson Mariano III and Rolzon Roullo settled for draws.
The Kingsmen stunned Simba’s Tribe in the rapid event behind triumphs by Breckenridge, Acedo, Bandal Jr., Pimentel, and Roullo, and a draw by Mariano.
The Negros team was forced to a draw by the King Pirates in the rapid event but toppled the foe in blitz event on wins by Breckenridge, Bandal Jr., and Roullo, and draws by Mariano and Pimentel./PN
