MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen reached the Southern Division semifinals of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Third Conference by ousting their quarterfinals foes on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights easily defeated the Camarines-Iriga Soaring Eagles in the two-set quarterfinals match — 12.5-8.5 in the first set (3.5-3.5 in blitz and 9-5 in rapid) and 16.5-4.5 in their second set (5.5-1.5 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid).
After settling for a draw in the first set blitz, the Kisela Knights created much needed separation in the rapid game behind two pointers by Rogelio Antonio Jr., Cherry Ann Mejia, Rolly Parondo Jr., and Fritz Bryan Porras and a split by Cesar Mariano.
Iloilo had a much better showing in the second set blitz with Antonio, Kari Victor Ochoa, Mejia, Mariano, Parondo, and Porras capturing full one point and Mark Jossel Mariano settling for 0.5.
The Kisela Knights continued its rampage in the rapid game with Antonio, Ochoa, Mejia, Cesar Mariano and Porras notching the full two points and Mark Mariano splitting with his opponent.
The Kingsmen, on the other hand, barged to the next round of competition following a two-set quarterfinals victory against Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates—16-5 in the first set (5-2 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid) and 16-5 in second leg (6-1 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid).
David Elorta, Mari Joseph Turquiza, Ellan Asuela and Joel Pimentel got full point each in the first set blitz category, while Bernadette Galas and Edsel Montoya both settled for half point.
Elorta, Turquiza, Galas and Pimentel got the full two points each for the Negrenses in the first set rapid game, while Gatus, Edsel Montoya and Asuela split point with their opponents.
In the second set, the Kingsmen also got huge games from Asuela, Turquiza, Galas, Gatus and Pimentel in the blitz game and the same people also carried the fight for the Negrenses in the rapid event.
The Kisela Knights and the Kingsmen are set to face each other in a two-leg Southern Division semifinals round on Saturday evening with the winner moving on to the division finals./PN
