MANILA – Negros Kingsmen and Iloilo Kisela Knights dismantled their foes in the first conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Saturday night.
The Kingsmen opened the evening with a 15-6 domination over the Pasig City King Pirates before scoring a 14-7 outlasting of the Quezon City Simba’s Tribe in the second game.
Facing Pasig, the Kingsmen bowed in Blitz event, 4-3, before bouncing back in Rapid event with wins by Randy Segarra, Arena Grand Master (AGM) Rowelyn Joy Acedo, International Master (IM) Joel Pimentel, National Master (NM) Rolzon Roullo, and Adrian dela Cruz and draws from IM Nelson Mariano III and FM Rosendo Bandal Jr.
Against Quezon City, Negros recorded a 5-2 victory in Blitz event with victories from Bandal, Pimentel, Roullo, and Nayk Segismar and draw from Mariano III and Segarra.
The Kingsmen also dominated Simba’s Pride in Rapid event with Segarra, Pimentel, Segismar, and Rayelynn Posadas winning their matches, while Bandal settling for a draw.
“Unbelievable performance from our players, I am so proud of them! After winning our two games (on Saturday), we still remain on top of the team standings,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo.
The Kingsmen are now on top of the Southern Division with a 20-3 slate followed by the 19-4 Kisela Knights, which won over Cavite Spartans (17-4) and Isabela Knight Raiders (18-3).
Against the Spartans, the Kisela Knights ruled the Blitz game following wins by Grand Master Joey Antonio Jr., Karl Viktor Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, John Michael Silvederio, and Dennis Bernas.
In the rapid event, Iloilo also dominated the Spartans courtesy of victories from Antonio, Ochoa, Mejia, Bernas, Silvederio, National Master Cesar Mariano, and Fritz Bryan Porras.
Against the Knight Raiders, the Kisela Knights ruled the Blitz event with victories from Antonio, Mariano, Mejia, Porras, Ilongga Fiona Guirhem, and Lloyd Lanciola. The Ilonggos also defeated Knight Raiders in Rapid event with victories from Ochoa, Mariano, Silvederio, Bernas, Lanciola, and a draw from Antonio./PN
