By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Negros Island Region (NIR) Kingsmen maintained their hold on top in the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) First Conference after a pair of victories over the weekend.
The Kingsmen opened the double-header with a 16-5 domination over Zamboanga Sultans followed by a 15.5-5.5 beating of Toledo-Xignex Trojans for a 23-2 win-loss slate in the Southern Division standings.
The Kingsmen prevailed over the Sultan in the blitz game, 6-1, with full points each by David Elorta (Board 1), Mari Joseph Turquiza (Board 2), Bernadette Galas (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Ellan Asuela (Board 5), and Jerich Cajeras (Board 7).
The Negrenses also defeated Zamboanga in the rapid game, 10-4, courtesy of full two points each from Turquiza, Galas, Antonio, Asuela, Xavier John Verdun (Board 6), and Cajeras.
Facing the Trojans, the Kingsmen scored a 5.5-1.5 victory in the blitz game with one point each by Turquiza, Galas, Joel Pimentel (Board 6), and Rolzon Roullo (Board 7), and half point by Elorta, Antonio and Asuela.
The Kingsmen also hacked out a 10-4 triumph against Toledo-Xignex in the rapid event with Elorta, Galas, Antonio, Asuela, and Pimentel all garnering the full two points against their foes.
“It is a positive note that we were able to beat both Zamboanga and Toledo in our two encounters this season,” Kingsmen co-team owner Antonio Olendo said.
“We hope that this winning run will continue until the end of the conference,” he added.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Kisela Knights continued to struggle as they suffered twin defeats at the hands of the Trojans, 18.5-2.5, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 14-7, to remain in fifth spot with a 12-13 slate.
“The team is still adjusting to our all-Ilonggo lineup,” Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto said.
“We are optimistic that we can get over the hump in our succeeding matches,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PCAP will have a week-long break in the observance of Holy Week.
Double-header action between the Kingsmen and the Kisela Knights will resume on April 12./ASC, WDJ