MANILA – The Iloilo Kisela Knights leaned on Karl Victor Ochoa’s endgame heroics to oust the Toledo City Trojans, 11-10, in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Cup over the weekend.
Ochoa came up with a crucial victory over Trojans’ Richard Natividad in the Board 2 of the Rapid event to escape with a nail-biter of a victory and remain undefeated after three games.
“It was a crucial win by Karl Victor,” according to Kisela Knights coach Hubert Canto. “Sila na lang ni Richard ang naiwan naglalaro and if kung nag-draw or natalo si Karl, talo sana kami.”
Before their close win over the Trojans, the Kisela Knights opened the evening with a lopsided 18-3 triumph against the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates.
Just like the Kisela Knights, the Negros Kingsmen improved to 3-0 after a 17-4 thrashing of the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, followed by a 15-6 win over the Mindoro Tamaraws.
Facing the Naki Warriors, Negros swept the Blitz with victories by Randy Segarra (Board 1), Mari Joseph Turqueza (Board 2), Rowelyn Acceo (Board 3), Jenny Mayor (Board 4), Theseus Benitez Jr. (Board 5), Adrian dela Cruz (Board 6), and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7). The Kingsmen also routed Lapu-Lapu City in the Rapid category.
The Kingsmen maintained the momentum in Blitz over Tamaraws behind Nelson Mariano III (Board 1), Segarra (Board 2), Angelyn Binan (Board 3), and Roullo (Board 6) and draws by Mayor (Board 4) and Benitez (Board 5). The squad also dominated the Rapid event against Mindoro.
“The team was able to showcase our strength with two strong wins against Lapu-Lapu and Mindoro. All thanks to our great teamwork where everyone contributed to the team’s dominant performance,” said Kingsmen team manager Junaico Segismar.
The Kingsmen will look to continue their winning ways against Palawan’s Queen Gambit on Wednesday, while the Kisela Knights will play two matches that day against Camarines Soaring Eagle and Cebu City Machers./PN
