By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Iloilo Kisela Knights averted a shutout on Wednesday evening after an 11-10 escape over Negros Kingsmen in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference.

The Kisela Knights edged the Kingsmen in blitz game, 4-3, with victories from Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 2), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5), and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6).

The slim win in the blitz game proved to be huge for Iloilo after being forced to a 7-7 draw by Negros in rapid game with two points from Mariano and Parondo and splits from Karl Ochoa (Board 1), Antonio and Porras (Board 5).

Prior to the win over Negros, the Kisela Knights suffered a close defeat at the hands of Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in a match that reached Armageddon after both teams ended up with 10.5-10.5 score.

Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto admitted that they lost their focus in their two matches but were still thankful to have a split and remain at second place in the Southern Division with 5-1 slate.

“Tough fights for us. We give our best especially sa Armageddon against Surigao. Hindi lang talaga para sa amin ang laro na iyon,” Canto said. “This is a lesson learned for us, we cannot lose focus and we will prepare better in our future matches.”

The Kingsmen, meanwhile, salvaged a victory in the first game as they cruised to a lopsided 17-4 domination over Cagayan de Oro to remain on top in the standings at 4-2 record.

Negros manhandled Cagayan de Oro in the blitz game, 5-2, with victories by David Elorta (Board 1), Mari Joseph Turquiza (Board 2), Natori Diaz (Board 3), Adrian Pacis (Board 4), and Ted Montoyo (Board 7).

The Kingsmen also walloped Cagayan de Oro in the rapid event, 12-2, with Elorta, Diaz, Pacis, Ellan Asuela (Board 5), Edsel Montoya (Board 6), and Montoyo notching two points each.

Meanwhile, action resumes on Saturday evening with the Kisela Knights battling Cagayan de Oro and Cebu, while the Kingsmen facing Cebu and Zamboanga./ASC, WDJ