MANILA – Negros Kingsmen had a perfect evening in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines – Wesley So Cup after prevailing over their two opponents.
The Kingsmen were pushed to the limit by Manila before pulling off a 2-1 Armageddon win followed by an 16.5-4.5 domination over Cagayan to improve its Southern Division standings to 17-6.
The Kingsmen cruised to a 4.5-2.5 victory against Manila in the blitz event but the latter bounced back with an 8-6 triumph in the rapid game to force the tiebreaker round as both squads ended with 10.5-10.5 score.
In the Armaggedon, the Negrenses notched a 2-1 victory with David Elorta prevailing over Yoseph Taher and Ellan Asuela defeating Jhunlo Goloran. Joel Pimentel was the lone casualty in the tiebreaker after bowing to Manila’s Ronald Dableo.
The Kingsmen then scored a 5.5-1.5 beating of Cagayan in the blitz game on full points by Brylle Arellano (Board 2), Edmundo Gatus (Board 4), Asuela (Board 5), Pimentel (Board 6) and Edsel Montoya (Board 7) and a split by Bernadette Galas (Board 3).
The Negrenses also dominated Cagayanons in the rapid event, 11-3, on two-pointers apiece from Arellano, Galas, Asuela, Pimentel and Montoya and a split point from Gatus.
“It was a hard-earned victory for us but we are thankful to Ellan and David for their nerves of steel during the Armageddon round against Manila,” said Kingsmen co-team manager Nayk Segismar.
Iloilo Kisela Knights, on the other hand, settled for a split in their double-header as they pulled off a 3-0 Armageddon victory over Laguna before suffering a close 11-10 defeat to San Juan.
Reinforcement Hovhannez Gabuzyan, Grand Master Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Karl Victor Ochoa carried the fight for the defending champions in the extra round to avoid a winless evening.
“It was a heartbreaking defeat for us against San Juan but good thing we were able to salvage the match against Laguna,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto. “What is important is we are still on top of the standings with 21-2.”
