By Adrian Stewart Co

Negros Kingsmen settled for another split in their two matches during the rare Monday evening schedule of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup.

The Kingsmen opened the night with an 18-3 defeat to San Juan Predators, before bouncing back against Rizal Batch Towers, 14-7, for a 12-10 slate in the Southern Division standings.

The Kingsmen edged the Batch Towers in blitz behind wins by Steven Breckenridge (Board 1), Jason Bandal Jr. (Board 4), Adrian dela Cruz (Board 5), Rolzon Roullo (Board 6), and Nayk Segismar (Board 7) and a draw by Rosendo Bandal (Board 2).

Negros also defeated Rizal in rapid event courtesy of victories by Breckenridge (Board 1), Angeline Binan (Board 3), Dela Cruz (Board 5), and Roullo (Board 6), and draws from Bandal Jr. (Board 4) and Segismar (Board 7).

Meanwhile, Iloilo Kisela Knights continued its uprising after a 15.5-5.5 domination over Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 and a 14-7 decision over Manila Indios Bravos. The Ilonggos now have a 12-8 record.

The Kisela Knights edged Rainbow Team 7 in blitz game with wins by Kamil Dragun (Board 1), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), John Michael Silvederio (Board 5), and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6) and a draw by Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 7).

Iloilo also edged Olongapo in rapid event after victories by Dragun (Board 1), Karl Viktor Ochoa (Board 2), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Porras (Board 6), and Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 7) and a draw by Fiona Guirhem (Board 3).

In their game against Manila, the Iloilo also won the blitz game via full points from Dragun (Board 1), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Dennis Bernas (Board 5), and Silvederio (Board 7).

The Kisela Knights also ruled their rapid games versus Indios Bravos on two points by Dragun (Board 1), Bernas (Board 5), Porras (Board 6), and Silvederio (Board 7) and one point each from Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 2) and Mejia (Board 3)./ASC, WDJ