By Adrian Stewart Co
Negros Kingsmen and Iloilo Kisela Knights kept their unblemished slate with a pair of wins each in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Cup on Saturday night.
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The Kingsmen kicked off the evening with a 17-4 domination over Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors before following it up with a 15-6 triumph over Mindoro Tamaraws for a 3-0 start.
Facing the Naki Warriors, Negros swept the blitz with wins by Randy Segarra (Board 1), Mari Joseph Turqueza (Board 2), Rowelyn Acedo (Board 3), Jenny Mayor (Board 4), Theseus Benitez Jr. (Board 5), Adrian dela Cruz (Board 6), and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7).
The Kingsmen also defeated Lapu-Lapu City in rapid event on victories by Segarra (Board 1), Acedo (Board 3), Mayor (Board 4), Dela Cruz (Board 6), and Roullo (Board 7).
The Kingsmen maintained the momentum in blitz over Tamaraws as Nelson Mariano III (Board 1), Segarra (Board 2), Angelyn Binan (Board 3), and Roullo (Board 6) and draws by Mayor (Board 4) and Benitez (Board 5).
Negros also showed its strength in the rapid event with two points each from winners Mariano (Board 1), Segarra (Board 2), Binan (Board 3), Benitez (Board 5), and Dela Cruz (Board 7).
“The team was able to showcase our strength with two strong wins against Lapu-Lapu and Mindoro. All thanks to our great teamwork where everyone contributed to the team’s dominant performance,” said Kingsmen team manager Junaico Segismar.
The Kingsmen, which fell short in the Southern Division semifinals in the first two conferences, hope to continue their winning ways in their lone match at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday against the Palawan’s Queen Gambit.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo Kisela Knights started the Saturday night with an 18-3 domination over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates before escaping with an 11-10 win over Toledo City Trojans.
Unlike the Kingsmen, the Kisela Knights will have two matches on Wednesday—against Camarines Soaring Eagle at seven in the evening and versus Cebu City Machers at 9:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ