MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights maintained its strong start in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference with a pair of victories on Saturday night.
It opened the evening with a 15-6 victory over Laguna before following it up with a 13-8 triumph over Isabela to stay on top in Southern Division with 12-1 slate.
The Kisela Knights edged Laguna in blitz game, 5-2, behind victories by Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5), John Michael Silvederio (Board 6), and Fritz Porras (Board 7).
Iloilo also defeated Laguna in rapid event, 11-3, with triumphs by Ochoa, Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem (Board 3), Parondo, Silvederio, and Porras and a draw by Antonio.
Against Isabela, Iloilo struggled in the blitz game but bounced back in the rapid event with victories by Ochoa, Guirhem, Antonio, Silvederio and Horizon Villanueva (Board 7).
Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto lauded Guirhem for her solid showing against Laguna and Isabela after playing in lieu of unavailable Cherry Mejia.
“Credit goes to Fiona for her superb showing in the two games as a substitute of Cherry. Also Karl (Ochoa) was impressive as he won all of his games,” Canto said.
Negros Kingsmen, meanwhile, scored a 15-6 domination over Mindoro before losing to Manila, 12-9, in the second game. Negros currently has 9-4 standings.
Negros was perfect against Mindoro in blitz game, 7-0, behind wins by David Elorta (Board 1), Mari Turqueza (Board 2), Natori Diaz (Board 3), Adrian Pacis (Board 4), Ellan Asuela (Board 5), Edsel Montoya (Board 6) and Ted Montoyo (Board 7).
The Kingsmen, however, barely escaped Mindoro in the rapid event, 8-6, with triumphs from Randy Segarra (Board 2), Asuela, Montoya and Montoyo./PN
