MANILA – After eight matches, the Iloilo Kisela Knights maintained their winning streak, while the Negros Kingsmen suffered their first loss on Wednesday night in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Cup.
The Kisela Knights opened the evening with a 16-5 thrashing of the Iriga City Oragons and followed it up with a 15.5-5.5 rout of Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors.
Against Iriga, Iloilo ruled the Blitz behind victories by Rogelio Antonio Jr., Fiona Guirhem, Cesar Mariano, John Michael Silvederio, Fritz Bryan Porras, and Mark Jossel Mariano.
The Iloilo City-based team also ousted the Oragons in the Rapid game.
The Kisela Knights continued their onslaught, mauling Lapu-Lapu City in the Blitz event behind victories by Antonio, Cesar Mariano, Silvederio, Porras, and Mark Mariano, as well as a tie from Mejia.
In rapid, the team notched two pointers after triumphs by Cesar Mariano, Silvederio, Porras, and Mark Jossel Mariano. The Naki Warriors forced Antonio and Ochoa to draw.
On the other hand, The Kingsmen could not sustain its winning run as it was toppled by the Camarines Soaring Eagle in the first game before bouncing back in the second against Cebu City Machers, 14-7.
The Kingsmen posted 4.5-2.5 in Blitz versus the Soaring Eagle before the latter rallied in Rapid to force an Armaggedon of tiebreaker. Camarines dominated the Armaggedon, scoring 3-0.
Negros, however, bounced back against Cebu in Blitz with a narrow 4-3 victory, thanks to one point each from Nelson Mariano III, Mari Joseph Turquiza, Jenny Mayor, and Rolzon Roullo.
In Rapid, the Kingsmen beat the Machers, 14-7, with Turquiza, Mayor, Adrian dela Cruz, and Roullo each scoring two points. Mariano and Thereus Benitez Jr. split points./PN
