MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen swept their matches in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights cruised to a 7-0 win-loss record following a 12-9 escape over Toledo Trojans in the first game and a 12.5-8.5 beating of Camarines-Iriga.
The Kisela Knights barely escaped the Trojans in the blitz game, 4-3, with victories by Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5).
It was also a close game for both teams in the rapid game with the Ilonggos winning, 8-6, behind two-pointers by Gabuzyan, Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) and Horizon Villanueva (Board 6) and splits by Mejia and Cesar Mariano (Board 7).
The Kisela Knights also defeated Camarines-Iriga in the blitz game, 4.5-2.5, on full points from Gabuzyan, Antonio, John Michael Silvederio (Board 6) and Parondo (Board 7) and a split by Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5).
The Ilonggos also pulled off an 8-6 victory over Camarines-Iriga in the rapid game behind wins by Gabuzyan, Antonio and Silvederio and splits by Mejia and Porras.
“Both were close victories but we are taking it,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto. “We just have to adjust our game plan but overall we are doing great.”
The Kingsmen, for its part, improved its standings to 5-2 after scoring a 12-9 triumph against Zamboanga before dominating PCL Pagadian in the second game, 20-1.
The Kingsmen edged Zamboanga in blitz game, 4-3, on victories by Edsel Montoya (Board 2), Bernadette Galas (Board 3), Edmundo Gatus (Board 4) and Rolzon Roullo (Board 6).
The Negrenses also defeated Zamboanga in the rapid event, 8-6, with two pointers from Galas, Ellan Asuela (Board 5) and Roullo and splits from Montoya and Gatus./PN
