By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Negros Island Region Kingsmen failed to reach the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) First Division finals after dropping their division match on Wednesday night, April 26.
The Kingsmen, the no. 1 seed in the Southern Division, was defeated by Davao Golden Eagles in the two-leg division finals — 2-1 Armageddon in the first leg and a tight 11-10 defeat in the second leg.
The Kingsmen were held to a 3.5-3.5 draw by the Golden Eagles in the first leg blitz event, with only David Elorta, Bernadette Galas and Ellan Asuela getting the full points, and Mari Joseph Turquiza settling for 0.5.
The Negrenses were again held to a deadlock by Davaoenos in the first leg rapid game, 7-7, with Rogelio Antonio, Jr. as the full two pointer and Elorta, Galas, Asuela, Joel Pimentel, and Jerich Cajeras settling for one point each.
The first leg headed into the tiebreaking Armageddon with the Golden Eagles taking a 2-1 victory as only Elorta was able to score a victory, and Asuela and Antonio losing to their opponents.
In the second leg blitz event, the Kingsmen suffered a close 3-4 defeat to the Golden Eagles with 0.5 points from Elorta, Galas, Antonio, and Ted Ian Montoyo, and only Pimentel delivered the full point.
The Kingsmen was not able to recover in the rapid game as they were held to a 7-7 draw by Davao behind two pointers by Galas, Pimentel and Montoyo, and a split point from Asuela.
Kingsmen team manager Nayk Segismar said the defeat was heartbreaking for the Negrense squad as their two losses to the Golden Eagles in the Southern Division finals were all close.
“It was very unfortunate and heartbreaking,” Segismar said.
“The matches against Davao were very close and could have gone on our way but we will learn from this and bounce back next conference,” he said.
Segismar also said that they will vie for the third place trophy when they face Laguna Heroes, which faltered to Pasig King Pirates in the Northern Division Finals, on the final day of the conference this Saturday, April 29./ASC, WDJ