MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights averted a strong challenge from Negros Kingsmen for a 11.5-9.5 escape in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup on Saturday night.
The Kisela Knights bowed to Kingsmen in blitz game, 2.5-4.5, with only reinforcement Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1) and Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) scoring full points, while Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3) settled for a draw.
The Ilonggos, however, bounced back in the rapid game with a 9-5 beating on full two points by Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Antonio, Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7) and a draw from Mejia.
Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto said he already anticipated a tough match up with the Kingsmen since it was one of the formidable teams in the Southern Division.
“We are always wary of Negros kasi isa sila sa mga stacked na team dito sa PCAP,” Canto said. “Isa sila sa mga talagang matinding challenge sa amin especially if we want to retain our championship.”
The Kisela Knights made it a two-in-a-row later in the day, fifth overall in as many matches, following a close 13-9 victory against Surigao squad.
Iloilo dominated Surigao in the blitz event, 6-1, with Ochoa (Board 1), Gabuzyan (Board 2), Mejia, Antonio, John Michael Silvederio (Board 6) and Parondo scoring full points each.
The Kisela Knights, however, was forced to a deadlock at 7-7 in the rapid game with Ochoa, Silvederio and Porras finishing with two points each and Mejia splitting her points.
The Kingsmen, however, was not able to recover from their loss to the Kisela Knights as they also bowed to Davao in the second game, 11-10, to drop to 3-2.
The Kingsmen played for the fifth straight game without Vietnamese reinforcement Tran Tuan Minh, who is expected to make his debut for Negros this Wednesday./PN
