MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights had another perfect evening in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines All-Filipino Conference. It swept its two Saturday matches.
The Kisela Knights opened the double-header matches with a 16-5 domination over Palawan followed by a 15-6 rout of Iriga to stay on top in the Southern Division at 23-2.
Iloilo barely defeated Palawan in the blitz event, 4-3, behind triumphs by Cesar Mariano (Board 1), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6), and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7).
The Kisela Knights dominated Palawan in rapid game, 12-2, behind wins by Mariano, Karl Ochoa (Board 2), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), John Michael Silvederio (Board 5), Porras and Parondo.
Facing Iriga, the Kisela Knights cruised to a 6-1 triumph in blitz behind wins by Parondo (Board 1), Ochoa, Mejia, Antonio, Porras (Board 5) and Horizon Villanueva (Board 7).
Iloilo were also victorious in the rapid event against Iriga, 9-5, with two-pointers from Ochoa, Mejia and Silvederio (Board 6) and splits by Parondo, Antonio and Porras.
“We are happy to be still on top in our division and also with three of our players inside the top 25. We just have to sustain our performance and prepare each game,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto.
The Negros Kingsmen, on the other hand, earned another split of their two games following a 14.5-6.5 win over Iriga and 12.5-8.5 loss to Davao for a 16-9 slate.
The Kingsmen edged Iriga in blitz game, 5.5-1.5, with victories by David Elorta (Board 1), Randy Segarra (Board 2), Natori Diaz (Board 3), Adrian Pacis (Board 4) and Ted Montoyo (Board 7) and a draw by Alvin Alcala (Board 6).
The Kingsmen also defeated Iriga in rapid game, 9-5, with two pointers each from Elorta, Segarra, Pacis and Montoyo and a draw from Alcala./PN
