MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights continued its fine play as the playoffs draw closer after winning its two matches on Saturday at the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.
The Kisela Knights opened the evening with a 17-4 victory over Cebu before following it up with a 13-8 triumph over Zamboanga to stay on top in Southern Division with 29-4 slate.
The Kisela Knights edged Cebu in blitz game, 5-2, behind victories by Giovanni Mejia (Board 1), Horizon Villanueva (Board 2), Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5).
The Kisela Knights also defeated Cebu in rapid event, 12-2, with two-pointers by Mejia, Guirhem, Antonio, Parondo, Cesar Mariano (Board 6) and Mark Mariano (Board 7).
Against Zamboanga, the Kisela Knights cruised to a 5-2 win in blitz game with victories by Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Antonio, Parondo and John Michael Silvederio (Board 5).
The Kisela Knights also had a close 8-6 triumph against Zamboanga in rapid event with two-pointers from Mejia, Antonio, Silvederio and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 7).
“We are glad to be able to bounce back from a split last Wednesday,” said Iloilo head coach Hubert Canto. “Very unpredictable ang PCAP this season, all teams are strong and capable to beating anyone.”
Negros Kingsmen, meanwhile, bowed to Zamboanga in the first game, 12-9, before recovering with a 15.5-5.5 domination over Tacloban. Negros currently has 21-12 standings.
The Kingsmen edged Tacloban in the blitz game, 6.5-1.5, with David Elorta (Board 1), Natori Diaz (Board 3), Adrian Pacis (Board 4), Ellan Asuela (Board 5), Edsel Montoya (Board 6) and Ted Montoyo (Board 7) scoring wins and Mari Turqueza (Board 2) settling for draw.
Negros barely defeated Tacloban in blitz game, 9-5, behind wins by Elorta, Turqueza, Diaz and Montoyo and a draw by Asuela./PN
