By Adrian Stewart Co

Iloilo Kisela Knights moved to a joint first place in the Southern Division of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) first conference after a 16.5-4.5 beating of Negros Kingsmen on Wednesday evening.

The Kisela Knights were blazing in the blitz game with Karl Victor Ochoa, Cesar Mariano, Fritz Brian Porras, Dennis Bernas, and John Michael Silvederio posting wins and Joey Antonio Jr. settling for a draw.

Iloilo went on with its onslaught of Negros in the rapid game with Antonio, Ochoa, Porras, Bernas, and Silvederio capturing victories and Mariano settling for a deadlock with his board 4 foe.

Aside from bouncing back from their 12-9 loss to Negros in the first round, Iloilo team owner Leo Sotaridona sees the victory as a huge opportunity for them to end the elimination round on top.

“The win against Negros opened the possibility for us to end the elimination round on the very top spot,” Sotaridona said in a statement. “The team is looking forward to a deciding match (with Negros) at the playoffs.”

Prior to their win against the Kingsmen, the Kisela Knights also handily won their first match of the evening against Lapu Lapu City Naki Warriors, 18-3, for a 25-4 win-loss slate along with Kingsmen and Camarines Soaring Eagle.

The Kisela Knights dominated the Naki Warriors in blitz event following victories by Giovanni Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Porras, Mark Jossel Mariano, and Lloyd Lanciola.

Iloilo also won the rapid game against Lapu Lapu on victories by Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Silvederio, Bernas, and Lanciola and a draw by Antonio.

The Kingsmen, meanwhile, won their first game of the evening against Cebu City Machers, 17-4, with victories by Joel Pimentel, Kajoy Acedo, Rouzan Roullo, and Adrian dela Cruz in blitz game.

Negros also walloped Cebu in the rapid event with triumphs from Pimentel, Acedo, Roullo, Dela Cruz, Nelson Mariano III, and Jason Bandal Jr. and a draw by Nayk Segismar./ASC, WDJ