MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights renewed its mastery of Negros Kingsmen in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines Wesley So Cup with a 13-8 beating on Wednesday night.
Iloilo pulled off a 4-3 escape over Negros in the blitz game with Hovhannez Gabuzyan (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5) scoring a point each, and Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3) and Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) splitting.
The Kisela Knights also defeated the Kingsmen in the rapid event, 9-5, courtesy of two points each by Gabuzyan, Antonio and Parondo and splits from Mejia, Cesar Mariano (Board 6) and Fritz Porras (Board 7).
“We always consider Negros as one of our tough opponents here in PCAP,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto. “With or without import, they are a tough team to face but, luckily, we were able to pull this off.”
Prior to the close win against the Negros, the defending champions Kisela Knights opened the evening with a 20-1 domination over Zamboaga to remain on top of Southern Division with 25-2 record.
The Kisela Knights walloped Zamboanga on blitz event, 6-1, on full points each from Gabuzyan, Ochoa, Mejia, Antonio, Parondo and Mariano, who shifted to Board 7 in this one.
Gabuzyan, Ochoa, Mejia, Antonio, Parondo, Porras (Board 6) and Mariano all scored two points apiece for the Kisela Knights in the rapid match as they shutout Zamboanga, 14-0.
The Kingsmen, on the other hand, avoided a shutout on Wednesday as they scored a 15.5-5.5 assault of Tacloban in the opening game as they stayed afloat in Southern Division at 20-7.
The Kingsmen turned back Tacloban in the blitz event, 5.5-1.5, on full points by David Elorta (Board 1), Bernadette Galas (Board 3), Alfredo Dumalag (Board 4), Joel Pimentel (Board 5) and Ellan Asuela (Board 6) and a split by Rolzon Roullo (Board 7).
The Negrenses also came up with a 10-4 triumph against Tacloban in the rapid game on full two points each from Elorta, Galas, Pimentel, Asuela and Roullo./PN
