MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights continued its strong start in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference. It swept their Saturday night matches.
The Kisela Knights locked in on the top spot of the Southern Division with 16-1 slate following close victories against Caloocan (12-9) and San Juan (11.5-9.5).
The Kisela Knights barely escaped Caloocan in blitz game, 4-3, with only Fiona Guirhem (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Fritz Porras (Board 6) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7) gaining the full one point each.
Iloilo also pulled off a close one against Caloocan in rapid game, 8-6, behind two-pointers by Antonio, John Michael Silvederio (Board 5) and Parondo and splits from Cesar Mariano (Board 1) and Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2).
Facing San Juan, Iloilo surrendered the rapid game, 8-6, but scored a 5.5-1.5 triumph in blitz courtesy of wins by Mariano, Antonio, Silvederio, Porras and Parondo and a split by Ochoa.
Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto admitted it was a tough double header for his wards but is glad that they were able to pull off the victory to stay on top.
“It was a tough matches for us against Caloocan and San Juan. They were two of the powerhouse teams this season so we are lucky enough to came out on top,” Canto said.
Negros Kingsmen, meanwhile, dropped to 11-6 in the standings after another split of their two games–a 15-6 victory against Cavite and a 14-7 defeat at the hands of Cagayan.
Negros edged Cavite in blitz game, 6-1 on victories, by Mari Turqueza (Board 2), Natori Diaz (Board 3), Adrian Pacis (Board 4), Edsel Montoya (Board 5), Ted Montoyo (Board 6) and Theseus Benitez Jr. (Board 7).
The Kingsmen also prevailed over Cavite in rapid event, 9-5, on victories by Ellan Azuela (Board 1), Turqueza, Montoya and Montoyo and a draw by Benitez./PN
