By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Island Region Kingsmen tasted their first defeat in the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference on Wednesday evening, March 8.

The Kingsmen saw their hot start in the conference halted following a close 11-10 defeat to the San Juan Predators, but the Negrenses remained on top in the Southern Division with a 10-1 win-loss record.

The Kingsmen edged the Predators in a blitz event, 5-2, behind full points each from David Elorta, Mari Joseph Turquiza, Rogelio Antonio Jr., and Edsel Montoya and split points from Joel Pimentel and Ellan Asuela.

However, San Juan mounted a huge fight back as they walloped the Negrenses in the rapid event, 9-5, with only Asuela finishing with two full points, and Bernadette Galas, Antonio and Pimentel settling for a draw.

Prior to their first defeat in this conference, the Kingsmen pulled off a 12.5-8.5 victory over Laguna-Dasmariñas City in the first game as both teams settled for a 3.5-3.5 draw in the blitz event.

The Kingsmen got their needed separation from Laguna-Dasmariñas City in the rapid game, 9-5, behind two points from Elorta, Pimentel and Jerich Cajares, and draws by Galas, Antonio and Asuela.

“It was tough that we were unable to hang on to our lead against San Juan,” Kingsmen co-team manager Nayk Segismar said.

“The team will learn from this and bounce back this Saturday,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Kisela Knights were also not fortunate on Wednesday evening as they dropped their double-header matches as they slumped to a 7-4 win-loss record in the standings.

The Kisela Knights, which were parading an all-Ilonggo lineup this season, first suffered a lopsided 19-2 defeat at the hands of Pasig City King Pirates before faltering to the Predators, 18-3.

“Our players were caught on their off night against the best teams in the other division,” Kisela Knights head coach Hyubs Canto said.

“The players will use this to improve in our upcoming games,” he added./ASC, WDJ