MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights maintained their unblemished slate in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines Wesley So Cup by sweeping their two games over the weekend.
The Kisela Knights stayed on top in the Southern Division standings with 13-0 win-loss record following an 11.5-9.5 escape over Pasig and a 16-5 beating of Olongapo.
The Kisela Knights faltered in the rapid game against Pasig, 8-6, with only Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) and Fritz Porras (Board 5) notching two points, while Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7) splitting.
However, they got the difference in the blitz game, 5.5-1.5, with full points from Gabuzyan, Karl Ochoa (Board 2), Antonio and Porras, and half points from Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), John Michael Silvederio (Board 6) and Parondo.
Against Olongapo, Iloilo got a 5-2 win in blitz game on victories by Gabuzyan, Ochoa, Antonio and Parondo (Board 5) and splits from Cesar Mariano (Board 6) and Horizon Villanueva (Board 7).
The Kisela Knights cruised to a 11-3 triumph against Olongapo in the rapid event with two points each from Ochoa, Antonio, Parondo, Mariano and Villanueva and half point from Gabuzyan.
“It was a tough game especially against Pasig. We lost the rapid game against them but good thing we have enough separation in the blitz,” said Iloilo head coach Rolly Parondo.
Negros Kingsmen, on the other hand, suffered a close 11-10 defeat to Caloocan before responding with a 12.5-8.5 beating of Laguna. The Negrenses now has 11-3 record.
Negros settled for a 3.5-3.5 draw with Laguna in blitz game, with full points from Ellan Asuela (Board 1) and Ted Ian Montoyo (Board 7) and draws by Joel Pimentel (Board 2), Bernadette Galas (Board 3) and Edmundo Gatus (Board 4).
The Kingsmen defeated Laguna in rapid event, 9-5, with two pointers from Asuela, Brylle Arellano (Board 6) and Montoyo and splits from Pimentel, Galas and Gatus./PN
