MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Island Region Kingsmen kicked off the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference with victories over the weekend.
The Kisela Knights, now composed exclusively of Ilonggo chess players, opened their campaign with a dominant 19-2 victory over Mindoro Tamaraws to take an early lead in the Southern Division standings.
The Kisela Knights scored a 5-2 victory over the Tamaraws in the blitz event behind full one point each by Jovelyn Sepanton (Board 2), Fiona Guirhem (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7).
The Kisela Knights had a shutout 14-0 win against Mindoro in the rapid event with Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 1), Sepanton, Guirhem, Cesar Mariano, Horizon Villanueva (Board 5), Porras and Parondo finishing with full two points each.
“It was a good start for our new-look team,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hyubs Canto. “We lost some veteran players but the hunger and determination of our holdovers were evident in this win.”
The new-look Negros Island Region, for their part, were also quick to show its dominance following a 20-1 annihilation of Cebu Ninos to tie the Kisela Knights on top of the standings.
The Kingsmen turned back the Ninos in the blitz event, 6-1, via full points each from David Elorta (Board 1), Bernadette Galas (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Joel Pimentel (Board 5) and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7) and splits by Mari Turquiza (Board 2) and Michael Ocido (Board 6).
The Negrenses were also dominant in the rapid game against the Cebuanos as all Elorta, Turquiza, Galas, Antonio, Pimentel, Ocido and Jerich Cajeras (Board 7) finishing will full two points each.
“It was a good showing by our new players, especially Joey (Antonio) who controlled the senior board, as well as Ocido and Cajeras, who have solid debuts,” said Kingsmen team owner Antonio Olendo.
The Kisela Knights and the Kingsmen will have an early clash in the second game this Wednesday evening./PN
