MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Island Region Kingsmen reached the Southern Division semifinals of the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) First Conference after ousting their quarterfinals foes.
The Kisela Knights survived a tough challenge from Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates as they pulled off a 2-1 Armageddon win courtesy of Fritz Bryan Porras and John Michael Silvederio.
Prior to the tiebreaker, the Kisela Knights suffered a 12-9 defeat in the first of the two-set quarterfinals before bouncing back in the second set with a thrilling 11-10 escape to Surigao.
In the second leg, the Kisela Knights scored a 5-2 victory in the blitz game behind full points by Cesar Mariano, Silvederio, Porras and Horison Villanueva had half points by Rolly Parondo Jr. and Mark Mariano.
The Kisela Knights, however, suffered an 8-6 defeat in the rapid game with only Parondo, Cesar Mariano and Porras garnering the full two points with a win over their Fianchetto Checkmates counterparts.
“It was a tough win for us,” exclaimed Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto. “We were pushed to the limit by Surigao but good thing our veterans stepped up in the Armaggedon.”
The Kingsmen, on the other hand, barged to the next round of competition following a two-set quarterfinals victory against Mindoro Tamaraws—15-6 in the first set (6-1 in blitz and 9-5 in rapid) and 15-6 in second leg (5-2 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid).
David Elorta. Mari Joseph Turquiza, Bernadette Galas, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Ellan Ausela and Ted Ian Montoyo played a vital role in Negros’ lopsided first set triumph over the Tamaraws.
In the second set, the Kingsmen once again relied on the exploits of Elorta, Turquiza, Galas, Antonio, Joel Pimentel and Jerich Cajeras to complete their sweep of the Tamaraws.
The Kingsmen are set to tangle with the Kisela Knights in the two-leg Southern Division semifinals round slated on Saturday evening./PN
