MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen had a victorious start in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup on Saturday evening.
The Kisela Knights – PCAP’s second runner-up in the inaugural conference – kicked off its second conference campaign with an 18-3 domination over Palawan Queen’s Gambit.
The Kisela Knights scored five points in the Blitz event on victories by Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5), Dennis Bernas (Board 6), and John Michael Silvederio (Board 7).
Iloilo also dominated Negros in Rapid event with triumphs from Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Joey Antonio Jr. (Board 2), Mejia (Board 3), Mariano (Board 4), Porras (Board 5), and Silvederio (Board 7), and a draw by Bernas in Board 6.
Kisela Knights assistant manager Hubert Canto said that, while the lopsided win against the Queen’s Gambit was promising, the Iloilo team has to prepare for their upcoming opponents.
“Great and awesome start for the Kiselas. ‘Wag lang kami magpakampante sa mga susunod na laban. We will be up against Team Mindoro and Team Iriga this coming Wednesday,” Canto said.
The Kingsmen, for its part, also had an impressive start in the Wesley So Cup following its 17-4 victory over Iriga City Oragons.
Negros notched five points in the Blitz event after wins by Steven Breckenridge (Board 2), Kajoy Acedo (Board 3), Bacolodnon Joel Pimentel (Board 5), Nayk Segismar (Board 6), and Adrian dela Cruz (Board 7).
The Kingsmen were also efficient in Rapid event with triumphs from Nelson Mariano III (Board 1), Breckenridge (Board 2), Acedo (Board 3), Pimentel (Board 5), and Dela Cruz (Board 7), and draws from Reynaldo Flores (Board 4) and Segismar (Board 6).
“Big win for the under-manned Negros team,” said Kingsmen co-owner Martin Olendo. “Despite playing minus two masters in our regular rotation, the Kingsmen still dominated both the blitz and rapid events. Kudos to the team!”/PN
