Fighting their hearts out, Iloilo Kisela Knights continued their winning streak in the ongoing 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup by sweeping two games on Saturday, June 18.
The Ilonggos were unstoppable on the board after beating Quezon, 14.5-6.5 before a 16-5 victory over Rizal to stay on top in Southern Division with a perfect 17-0 card.
Against Quezon, GM and Armenian import Hovhannez Gabuzyan led the squad in blitz, tallying 5.5-1.5. Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7) and a draw by Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3) also aided IKK’s victory.
The team also dismantled Quezon in the rapid, 9-5, with two pointers each from Gabuzyan, Ochoa, Antonio and Parondo and a split point from Mejia.
It was an easy win in the second match after IKK ruled the blitz event against Rizal, 6-1, with full points each from Gabuzyan, Ochoa, Mejia, Antonio, Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 6) and Parondo.
The Kisela Knights also scored a 10-4 triumph against Rizal in rapid event with two-pointers from Gabuzyan, Ochoa, Mejia, Antonio and Parondo.
Meanwhile, Negros Kingsmen rallied for a 16-5 domination over Olongapo before suffering a close 11-10 defeat to Mindoro in the second game. Negros currently has 11-6 win-loss record.
The Negrenses have won the blitz, 5-2 over Olongapo with Bernadette Galas (Board 3), Edmundo Gatus (Board 4), Rolzon Roullo (Board 5), Alfredo Dumalag (Board 6) and Ted Ian Montoyo (Board 7) posting wins.IMT Sports
