By Adrian Stewart Co

Negros Kingsmen and Iloilo Kisela Knights reached the Southern Division semifinals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup after sweeping their quarterfinals foes on Wednesday night, July 21.

The Kingsmen barged to the next round of competition following a two-set quarterfinals victory against Zamboanga Sultans—13.5-7.5 in the first set (3.5-3.5 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid) and 12-9 in second leg (2-5 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid).

Steven Breckenridge, Jowelyn Acedo, Rosendo Bandal Jr., Joel Pimentel, Junaico Segismar, and Rolzon Roullo played a vital role in Kingsmen’s first set triumph over the Sultans.

Breckenridge, Nelson Mariano, Acedo, Pimentel, and Roullo meanwhile, scored victories for Negros in the blitz and rapid events in the second leg of their quarterfinals match against Zamboanga.

“Another outstanding performance from the players, so proud of them as always,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Martin Olendo. “We need to keep our focus in the semifinals (against Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors).”

The Kisela Knights, meanwhile, easily defeated the Toledo City Trojans in the two-set quarterfinals match—15-6 in the first set (4-3 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid) and 15-6 in their second set (6-1 in blitz and 9-5 in rapid).

Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, John Michael Silvederio, and Dennis Bernas played a key role in Kisela Knights’ first set win over the Trojans.

Antonio, Gabuzyan, Mejia, Mariano, Porras, Bernas, and Silvederio (in that order), meanwhile, carried the fight for the Kisela Knights in the blitz and rapid event of their quarterfinals second set match with Toledo City.

“It was a stunning performance for Iloilo, especially by our import Gabuzyan, GM Joey and Mariano,” said Kisela Knights owner Leo Sotaridona. “The team is quite confident that we can keep in step with Camarines (Soaring Eagle) on Saturday.”/ASC, WDJ