MANILA – Negros Kingsmen scored twin victories in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup on Wednesday night.
The Kingsmen started things off with a 12-9 triumph over Zamboanga Sultans and followed it up with a 13.5-7.5 win over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates to raise their record to 18-9.
The Kingsmen barely escaped the Sultans in the blitz game, 4-3, on victories by Steven Breckenridge, Nayk Segismar, and Adrian dela Cruz, and draws by Joel Pimentel and Rolzon Roullo.
The team was also engaged in a tight battle with Zamboanga in the rapid match, 8-6, behind triumphs by Nelson Mariano III, Kajoy Acedo, Jason Bandal Jr., and Pimentel.
Against Surigao, Negros dominated the blitz play, 5.5-1.5, and ruled the rapid event, 8-6.
“Team effort pulled us through these two tight matches,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Martin Olendo. “We applaud each member of the team for being a contributor of this winning streak.”
In other results, the Iloilo Kisela Knights settled for a split of their games on Wednesday evening as they crushed the Iriga City Oragons, 20-1, but fell to Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 11.5-9.5. Currently, the team has a 21-6 win-loss slate.
Iloilo made its presence felt in the blitz against Iriga on wins by Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Karl Viktor Ochoa, Jr., Fiona Guirhem, Cesar Mariano, John Michael Silvederio, Fritz Bryan Porras, and Mark Mariano.
The Kisela Knights dumped the Oragons in the rapid match behind Gabuzyan, Joey Antonio, Jr., Guirhem, Cesar Mariano, Porras, and Mark Mariano, and a draw from Silvederio./PN
