MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen returned to the winning ways in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines Third Conference by sweeping their two games on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights opened the double-header with a 19-2 victory over Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 before following it up with a 20.5-0.5 rout of Mindoro Tamaraws to stay at second place in the Southern Division standings with 12-2 slate.
Against Olongapo, the Kisela Knights cruised to a 6-1 win in blitz with full points each from Fritz Porras (Board 1), John Silvederio (Board 2), Fiona Guirhem (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5) and Cesar Mariano (Board 6).
The Kisela Knights also dominated Rainbow Team 7 in the rapid game, 13-1, with all Porras, Silvederio, Guirhem, Antonio, Parondo and Mariano getting the full two points and Horizon Villanueva splitting at Board 7.
The Ilonggos also edged Mindoro in the blitz event, 6.5-0.5, behind full points each by Mariano (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Guirhem, Parondo, Porras (Board 6) and Silvederio (Board 7) and a split by Antonio.
The Kisela Knights also made their presence felt against the Tamaraws in the rapid game with all Mariano, Ochoa, Guirham, Antonio, Parondo, Porras and Silvederio netting the full two points.
Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto praised his players for bouncing back in a big way with two lopsided wins after suffering a tough defeat against Pasig City King Pirates last week.
“Credit goes to the players for this pair of bounce back victories,” Canto said. “The presence of veteran players (Antonio and Mariano) is welcome help for us in our matches against Olongapo and Mindoro.”
Just like the Kisela Knights, the Kingsmen also made their presence felt with a pair of lopsided victories to stay at third place in the Southern Division standings with a 10-3 record.
The Negrenses opened the night with an 18-3 beating of Pasig City Junior Pirates before following it up with a 21-0 shutout triumph against Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 in the second game./PN
