MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen kicked off their 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land chess campaign on a winning note.
PCAP’s 2nd Conference champions Kisela Knights began their quest for a second consecutive title with an 18-3 thrashing of Palawan Queen’s Gambit on Wednesday night.
The Iloilo City-based squad ruled the Blitz game with wins from Rogelio Antonio Jr., Karl Victor Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, John Michael Silvederio, Fritz Porras, and Mark Mariano.
Iloilo also ousted Palawan in the Rapid category, with Antonio, Ochoa, Cesar Mariano, Silvederio, and Porras netting two points each. Mark Mariano settled for a draw.
The Kisela Knights hope to continue their winning ways on Saturday evening when they battle Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates at 7 p.m. and the Toledo City Trojans at 9 p.m.
On the other hand, the new-look Kingsmen opened their PCAP 3rd Conference campaign with a 15.5-5.5 thrashing of the Iriga City Oragons.
The Negrenses toppled the Oragons in Blitz with triumphs from Nelson Mariano III, Mari Joseph Turqueza, Rowelyn Acedo, Rolzon Roullo, and Adrian dela Cruz. Theseus Benitez settled for a draw.
The squad also manhandled Iriga in the Rapid event via wins by Mariano, Turquenza, Acedo, Jenny Mayor, and Roullo.
“Another good start for the Negros team in this conference with foreign guest teams, with our new players blending well with the holdovers. Hope we could carry the momentum into the succeeding games,” said Negros co-team owner Martin Olendo.
The Kingsmen will also return to action on Saturday, beginning with a match against Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors at 7:00 p.m., followed by a game against Mindoro Tamaraws at 9:00 p.m./PN
