By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen reached the Southern Division semifinals of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Third Conference after ousting their quarterfinals foes on Wednesday night, November 30.
The Kisela Knights easily defeated the Camarines-Iriga Soaring Eagles in the two-set quarterfinals match — 12.5-8.5 in the first set (3.5-3.5 in blitz and 9-5 in rapid) and 16.5-4.5 in their second set (5.5-1.5 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid).
After settling for a draw in the first set blitz, the Kisela Knights created much needed separation in the rapid game behind two pointers by Rogelio Antonio, Jr., Cherry Ann Mejia, Rolly Parondo, Jr., and Fritz Bryan Porras, and a split by Cesar Mariano.
Iloilo had a much better showing in the second set blitz with Antonio, Kari Victor Ochoa, Mejia, Mariano, Parondo, and Porras capturing one full point, and Mark Jossel Mariano settling for 0.5.
The Kisela Knights continued their rampage in the rapid game with Antonio, Ochoa, Mejia, Cesar Mariano, and Porras notching the full two points and Mark Mariano splitting with his opponent.
On the other hand, the Kingsmen barged to the next round of competition following a two-set quarterfinals victory against Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates — 16-5 in the first set (5-2 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid), and 16-5 in the second leg (6-1 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid).
David Elorta, Mari Joseph Turquiza, Ellan Asuela, and Joel Pimentel got full points each in the first set blitz category, while Bernadette Galas and Edsel Montoya both settled for half point.
Elorta, Turquiza, Galas, and Pimentel got the full two points each for the Negrenses in the first set rapid game, while Gatus, Edsel Montoya and Asuela split point with their opponents.
In the second set, the Kingsmen also got huge games from Asuela, Turquiza, Galas, Gatus, and Pimentel in the blitz game, and the same people also carried the fight for the Negrenses in the rapid event.
The Kisela Knights and Kingsmen are set to face each other in a two-leg Southern Division semifinals round on Saturday evening, December 3, with the winner moving on to the division finals./ASC, WDJ