MANILA – Negros Kingsmen kept its unbeaten run in the first conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) after defeating Iloilo Kisela Knights, 12-9, on Wednesday night.
International Master (IM) Joel Pimentel of Bacolod City stood out for the Kingsmen for winning all of his matches against the Kisela Knights, while FIDE Master (FM) Judge Rosendo Bandal and Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Kajoy Acedo providing support.
Pimentel, Bandal, Acedo and Junaico Segismar also connived for the Kingsmen in capturing their seventh win in as many games in the Southern Division after thrashing Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 11.5-9.5.
“I am so proud of our players; we fought two very hard teams, one of them the unbeaten Iloilo Kisela Knights. I always tell the team, to just do your best, we win as a team, and we lose as team. Luckily, we have won all our games so far,” Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo said. He further said that the twin victories were huge for the squad, particularly against the Kisela Knight that is being led by Grand Master (GM) Joey Antonio.
Also part of the Kingsmen squad was FM Randy Segarra, FM Nelson Mariano, FM Rolzon Roullo, Atty. Jason Maxino Bandal, Nayk Aguilar Segismar, Adrian Dela Cruz and Capt. Reynaldo Flores.
The team aims to keep its unblemished slate on the fifth day of the competition on Saturday night as it will face Zamboanga Sultans at 7 p.m. and Surigao Finachetto Checkmates at 9 p.m.
After enduring their first defeat, the Kisela Knights were able to bounce back in their second game on Wednesday evening as they walloped the Finachetto Checkmates, 17.5-3.5.
Antonio, NM Giovanni Mejia, lady player Fiona Guirhem, senior player Cesar Mariano, and homegrowns NM John Michael Silvederio, Fritz Bryan Porras, and Mark Jossel Maria anchored the Kisela Knights in their bounce back win over Surigao.
The Knights will also have its hands full on Saturday evening as they will play against Camarines Soaring Eagles on first game and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors on second game./PN
