MANILA – Negros Kingsmen stretched its unbeaten record in the first conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) to nine games with a pair of victories on Saturday evening.
The Kingsmen opened its weekend battle with an 11.5-9.5 victory over Zamboanga Sultans behind the solid showin of International Master (IM) Joel Pimentel, Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Kajoy Acedo, Rayelynn Posadas and Junaico Segismar.
FIDE Masters (FM) Nelson Mariano and Randy Segarra also performed well for the Negrense woodpushers in their 18-3 domination over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the second game.
Kingsmen team manager Jason Bandal said that the team’s chemistry, despite not having a Grand Master (GM) caliber player, was a key to their 9-0 standings in the Southern Division.
“I believe our biggest advantage over our opponents is our great team spirit. At the end of the day, team effort decides the match. It is still a long process though, and we are hoping to keep the momentum burning. Great challenges still lie ahead,” Bandal said.
The Kingsmen aims for its 10th and 11th victory on the sixth day of the competition on Wednesday as it faces Camarines Soaring Eagle at 7 p.m. and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors at 9 p.m.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Kisela Knights recorded two consecutive wins on Saturday night at the expense of the Soaring Eagle, 11.5-9.5, and the Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 17-4.
The Kisela Knights, which suffered its first loss to the Kingsmen in Day 5, struggled against the Soaring Eagle with the score tied at 9.5 all before escaping with two victories.
The Ilonggos, however, had a much better showing against the Dutchess Dagami Warriors courtesy of GM Joey Antonio, Karl Victoria Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, John Michael Silverio, Fritz Borras and Dennis Bernas.
The Kisela Knights, which has 8-1 record in the Southern Division standings, will be facing Iriga City Oragons at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Mindoro Tamaraws in the second game at 9. /PN
