By Adrian Stewart Co
Negros Kingsmen bucked the absence of import Steven Breckenridge to continue their winning ways in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup.
The Kingsmen started the Saturday evening with a 15-6 domination over Iriga City Oragons before following it up with a 14-7 mauling of Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors.
The Kingsmen dominated the Oragons in blitz games with victories by Nelson Mariano III (Board 1), Randy Segarra (Board 2), Kajoy Acedo (Board 3), Jason Bandal Jr. (Board 4), Joel Pimentel (Board 5), and Rolzon Roullo (Board 6).
Negros also walloped Iriga City in the rapid event on wins by Mariano (Board 1), Segarra (Board 2), Acedo (Board 3), and Bandal Jr. (Board 4) and a draw from Roullo (Board 6).
The Kingsmen were equally dominant against Dagami Warriors in blitz with one point each from Segarra (Board 1), Mariano (Board 2), Bandal (Board 4), Adrian Dela Cruz (Board 5), and Pimentel (Board 6) and draws by Acedo (Board 3) and Roullo (Board 7).
Negros, however, barely escaped Cordova in the rapid event with two pointers by Mariano (Board 2), Bandal (Board 4) and Pimentel (Board 6) and one pointer from Acedo (Board 3) and Roullo (Board 7).
“I am glad that the Negros Kingsmen were peaking at the right time going into the homestretch of the conference,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Martin Olendo, who said that it was the management decision to rest Breckenridge in their two games.
Iloilo Kisela Knights, for its part, cruised to its eighth consecutive victory after a 20-1 victory over Palawan Queen’s Gambit followed by a 14.5-6.5 triumph over Mindoro Tamaraws.
Iloilo mauled Palawan in blitz behind Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Karl Viktor Ochoa, Jr. (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Dennis Bernas (Board 5), John Michael Silvederio (Board 6), and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 7).
The Kisela Knights also dominated the Queen’s Gambit in rapid on wins by Gabuzyan (Board 1), Joey Antonio, Jr. (Board 2), Mariano (Board 4), Bernas (Board 5), Silvederio (Board 6), and Porras (Board 7) and a draw from Mejia (Board 3).
Iloilo also edged Mindoro in blitz event via triumphs from Gio Mejia (Board 2), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Porras (Board 5), Silvederio (Board 6), and Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 7) and a draw by Gabuzyan (Board 1).
The Kisela Knights also owned the Tamaraws in rapid behind Gabuzyan (Board 1), Antonio (Board 2), Porras (Board 5), and Silvederio (Board 6) and a draw from Cesar Mariano (Board 4)./ASC, WDJ