By Adrian Stewart Co
Negros Kingsmen and Iloilo Kisela Knights reached the Southern Division semifinals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) first conference after sweeping their quarterfinals foes on Wednesday night.
The Kingsmen barged to the next round following a two-set quarterfinals victory against Lapu Lapu Naki Warriors—14-7 in the first set (4-3 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid) and 13.5-7.5 in second leg (5.5-1.5 in blitz and 8-6 in rapid).
Bacolodnon Joel Pimentel, Randy Segarra, Adrian dela Cruz, Kajoy Acedo, Rosendo Bandal, and Rolzon Roullo played a vital role in Kingsmen’s first set triumph over Naki Warriors.
Acedo, Bandal, Pimentel, Segarra, Nayk Segismar, and Nelson Mariano, meanwhile, scored victories for Negros in the blitz and rapid events in the second leg of their quarterfinals match against Lapu Lapu.
“Another outstanding performance from the players, so proud of them as always. But we need to keep our focus in the semifinals (against Camarines Soaring Eagle),” said Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo.
The Kisela Knights, on the other hand, easily defeated the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors in the two-set quarterfinals match—14-7 in the first set (4-3 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid) and 15.5-5.5 in their second set (4.5-2.5 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid).
Grand Master Joey Antonio, National Master John Michael Silvederio, Mark Jossel Mariano, Lloyd Lanciola, Karl Viktor Ochoa, Cesar Mariano, and Fritz Bryan Porras played a key role in Kisela Knights’ first set win over Dagami Warriors.
Antonio, Porras, Lanciola, Ochoa, Silvederio, and Cesar Mariano, meanwhile, carried the fight for the Kisela Knights in the blitz and rapid event of their quarterfinals second set match with Dagami Warriors.
The Kisela Knights will next face in the two-set Southern Division semifinals on Saturday. The Trojans reached the next round with a two-set beating of Zamboanga Sultans.
“We are glad with the win but team Iloilo will next focus on the semis (against Toledo Trojans),” said Iloilo team owner Leo Sotaridona. “We will revisit our initial strategies to make sure all holes been covered.”/ASC, WDJ