MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen’s winning run in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines Third Conference has been snapped after both bowing to Pasig on Saturday night.
The Kisela Knights failed to extend their winning streak following a close 11.5-9.5 defeat to Pasig. Both teams ended at 3.5-3.5 in the blitz event before Pasig cruised to an 8-6 triumph in the rapid game.
The Kisela Knights were forced to play without Grand Master Joey Antonio, who was in Bacolod City during the match and was unable to participate in the matches due to poor internet connection.
“Grand Master Joey was unable to play because of poor internet connection in his area,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto. “But it was not an excuse and our remaining players put up a good fight.”
The Kingsmen suffered a stinging 13.5-7.5 defeat to Pasig in the second game as both squads finished the blitz event at 3.5-3.5 before the Negrenses lost to Pasig in the rapid game, 10-4.
The Kisela Knights, however, managed to bounce back in the second game with an 18-3 domination over Pasig City Grassroots Knights to remain at second place of Southern Division standings with 10-2.
Rolly Parondo (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5), John Michael Silvederio (Board 6) and Horizon Villanueva (Board 7) all won their blitz and rapid games for a dominant win by the Ilonggos.
Prior to the loss, the Kingsmen opened the evening with a slim 11-10 victory over San Juan as they remained at third place in the Southern Division rankings with 8-3 win-loss record.
The Kingsmen barely escaped San Juan in blitz game, 4-3, with David Elorta (Board 1) and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7) getting full points and Joel Pimentel (Board 2), Bernadette Galas (Board 3), Alfredo Dumalag (Board 4) and Ellan Asuela (Board 5) splitting points.
The Negrenses were held to a 7-7 draw in the rapid game with only Elorta gaining the full two points and Pimentel, Galas, Dumalag, Asuela and Ted Ian Montoyo (Board 6) settling for a point each./PN
