MANILA – Negros Kingsmen stunned Iloilo Kisela Knights with an 11.5-9.5 triumph in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Open Conference on Wednesday.
The Kisela Knights faltered to the Kisela Knights, 2.5-4.5, in the blitz game with only Adelaide Joie Lim (Board 3) and Alvin Alcala (Board 7) scoring a win and David Elorta (Board 1) settling for a draw.
Negros bounced back in the rapid event with a 9-5 stunner behind two pointers from Elorta, Mari Joseph Turquiza (Board 2), Ted Ian Montoyo (Board 5) and Edsel Montoya (Board 6) and a draw by Alcala.
The Kingsmen continued their rare evening of sweep after a 15-6 domination over Cebu. The Negrenses improved to 20-11 in the Southern Division standings.
Negros got a perfect 7-0 score in the blitz game with Elorta, Turqueza, Lim, Adrian Pacis (Board 4), Montoyo, Rolzon Roullo (Board 6) and Alcala upending their opponents.
The Kingsmen, however, pulled off an 8-6 escape over Cebu in the rapid event with Elorta, Turqueza, Lim and Roullo escaping with two pointers over their foes.
“The team displayed a different sense of urgency (on Wednesday night).We need this momentum going into the playoffs,” said Kingsmen team manager Nayk Segismar.
The Kisela Knights, meanwhile, recovered in the second game with a 13-8 beating of Cagayan de Oro to remain ahead in the Southern Division with 27-4 record.
The Kisela Knights edged Cagayan de Oro, 5-2, in blitz game behind wins by Cesar Mariano (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5).
The Ilonggos also won over Cagayan de Oro in rapid game, 8-6, with two pointers from Ochoa, Antonio, John Michael Silvederio (Board 6) and Fritz Porras (Board 7)./PN
