By Adrian Stewart Co
Negros Kingsmen had another perfect evening in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup after winning their two Wednesday matches.
The Kingsmen started things off with a 12-9 triumph over Zamboanga Sultans before following it up with a 13.5-7.5 victory over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates to raise their record to 18-9.
The Kingsmen barely escaped the Sultans in blitz game, 4-3, on victories by Steven Breckenridge (Board 1), Nayk Segismar (Board 2) and Adrian dela Cruz (Board 5) and draws by Joel Pimentel (Board 6) and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7).
The Kingsmen were also engaged in a tight battle with Zamboanga in rapid event, 8-6, behind wins by Nelson Mariano III (Board 2), Kajoy Acedo (Board 3), Jason Bandal Jr. (Board 4), and Pimentel (Board 6).
Negros had a wider winning margin over Surigao in blitz, 5.5-1.5, following wins by Pimentel (Board 1), Acedo (Board 3), Bandal (Board 4), Roullo (Board 5), and Segismar (Board 6) and a draw by Mariano (Board 2).
The Kingsmen had a tighter game with Fianchetto Checkmates in rapid event, 8-6, with two points each coming from Pimentel (Board 1), Acedo (Board 3), Bandal (Board 4), and Dele Cruz (Board 7).
“Team effort pulled us through these two tight matches,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Martin Olendo. “We applaud each member of the team for being a contributor of this winning streak.”
Iloilo Kisela Knights, however, settled for a split of their games as they won over Iriga City Oragons, 20-1, before being defeated by Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 11.5-9.5, for a 21-6 record.
Iloilo made its presence felt in blitz against Iriga behind wins by Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Karl Viktor Ochoa, Jr. (Board 2), Fiona Guirhem (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), John Michael Silvederio (Board 5), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6), and Mark Mariano (Board 7).
The Kisela Knights also dominated the Oragons in rapid behind Gabuzyan (Board 1), Joey Antonio, Jr. (Board 2), Guirhem (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Porras (Board 6), and Mark Mariano (Board 7) and a draw from Silvederio (Board 5)./ASC, WDJ