By Adrian Stewart Co

Iloilo Kisela Knights settled for another split result in their double-header schedule on Saturday night at the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Cup.

The Kisela Knights finished the evening with 7-4 win-loss slate after scoring a 12.5-8.5 triumph over Laguna Heroes and suffering a 13-8 loss at the hands of Pasig City King Pirates.

Facing the Heroes, the Kisela Knights settled for a 3.5-3.5 draw in blitz game following wins by Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5) and Lloyd Lanciola (Board 7) and draws by Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 1), Karl Ochoa (Board 2) and Fiona Guirhem (Board 3).

Iloilo, however, managed to keep separation from Laguna in rapid game, 9-5, behind victories by Antonio, Guirhem, Cesar Mariano (Board 4), and Porras and a draw from Ochoa.

“It is unfortunate that we were not able to sweep our games but our win over Laguna is a huge one since kami ang unang nakatalo sa kanila,” said Kisela Knights mentor Hyubs Canto.

Canto said that they will use their two-day break to resolve the team’s consistency heading into another pair of matches on Wednesday against Sunrays Chess Center Of Excellence and Negros Kingsmen.

Kingsmen, on the other hand, were not fortunate in their two Saturday evening matches as they bowed to Manila Indios Bravos, 15-6, and Pasig City King Pirates, 13.5-7.5.

Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo admitted that it was a tough evening for his wards but is looking forward to improve their 6-5 win-loss slate as they battle their fellow teams in the Southern Division next.

“It was a complete struggle for us but we are not out yet. This is our final games against teams from Northern Division so we just have to bounce back against sa mga kapwa namin na nasa South,” said Fontelo.

Fontelo further said that the Kingsmen were looking forward to their second game encounter with Iloilo on Wednesday night as well as their 7:00 p.m. match against Philippine Paralympic Chessers Association./ASC, WDJ