MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen reached the Southern Division semifinals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup after sweeping their quarterfinals foes on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights crushed the Toledo City Trojans in the two-set quarterfinals match–15-6 in the first set (4-3 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid) and 15-6 in the second set (6-1 in blitz and 9-5 in rapid).
Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, John Michael Silvederio, and Dennis Bernas played a vital role in the first-set win of the Knights over the Trojans.
Meanwhile, Antonio, Gabuzyan, Mejia, Mariano, Porras, Bernas, and Silvederio triumphed for the Kisela Knights in the blitz and rapid categories against Toledo City.
The Iloilo City-based squad will battle the Camarines Soaring Eagle in the two-set Southern Division semifinals on Saturday. The Soaring Eagle reached the next round with a two-set beating of Mindoro Tamaraws.
“It was a stunning performance for Iloilo, especially by our import Gabuzyan, GM Joey, and Mariano,” said Kisela Knights owner Leo Sotaridona. “The team is quite confident that we can keep in step with Camarines on Saturday.”
On the other hand, the Kingsmen barged to the next round of the competition following a two-set quarterfinals victory against Zamboanga Sultans. Negros recorded 13.5-7.5 over Zamboanga in the first set (3.5-3.5 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid) and 12-9 in the second leg (2-5 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid).
Steven Breckenridge, Jowelyn Acedo, Rosendo Bandal Jr., Joel Pimentel, Junaico Segismar, and Rolzon Roullo powered the Kingsmen to grab the first-set triumph over the Sultans.
Breckenridge, Nelson Mariano, Acedo, Pimentel, and Roullo scored victories for Negros in the blitz and rapid events in the second leg of their quarterfinals match against Zamboanga.
“Another outstanding performance from the players, so proud of them as always,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Martin Olendo. “We need to keep our focus in the semifinals (against Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors).”/PN
