MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen capped off their elimination round campaign in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) first conference held Saturday evening on a winning note.
The Kisela Knights solidified their hold on the top spot of the Southern Division standings with a 30-4 win-loss record following a lopsided 18.5-2.5 victory over Mindoro Tamaraws.
Grand Master Joey Antonio Jr., Giovanni Mejia, Cherry Ann Mejia, Fritz Bryan Porras, Dennis Bernas, and John Michael Silvederio won their matches in the blitz event, while Cesar Mariano settled for a draw.
In the rapid event, Antonio, Porras, Bernas, Silvederio, and Karl Viktor Ochoa won their games against the Tamaraws, while Cherry Ann Mejia and Mariano were forced to draw.
Knights’ team owner Leo Sotaridona said the victory was huge for the squad ahead of their knockout quarterfinals match with Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors on Wednesday.
“I can’t be happier with our team’s performance in the entire elimination round,” Sotaridona told Panay News. “It is amazing how the team progressed into perfection in a short time.”
The Kingsmen, on the other hand, finished the eliminations with a 28-6 win-loss slate, third in the Southern Division, following their 15.5-5.5 beating of Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors.
The Kingsmen were blazing in the blitz game against Dagami Warriors with Nelson Mariano, Randy Segarra, Joel Pimentel, Rolzon Roullo, and Nayk Segismar winning their matches and Kajoy Acedo settling for a draw.
In the rapid event, Negros also dominated it over Cordova following victories by Segarra, Pimentel, Roullo, and Segismar and deadlocks by Acedo and Rosendo Bandal.
“We are so proud of our players for advancing to the next round. Now that we are in the quarterfinals against Lapu Lapu, we hope our players will continue to perform like this,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo./PN
