Two teams from Western Visayas are now making a threatening form in the ongoing Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Season 1.
Iloilo Kisela Knights (IKK) and Negros Kingsmen (NM) are the top two powerhouse teams in the inaugural match.
The Knights split their matches with a win over San Juan Predators, 11.5-9.5 before losing to Rizal Batch Towers, 7.5-13.5.
After an upset in their Blitz game against the Predators, the Kisela Knights bounced back in Rapid with wins from NM Nelson Mariano, NM Fritz Porras, Karl Ochoa, and Dennis Bernas, and a draw by Grand Master Joey Antonio.
For IKK owner Leo Sotaridona, the result was quite an upset.
“Perdi kami against Rizal. But at least we won against the top three teams of the northern division the past few days. The team will regroup then recover,” he added.
The team is enjoying a 14-3 win loss card and looking forward to top the Southern Division.
Meanwhile, Negros Kingsmen pulled off a 12-9 victory over fancied Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and Cagayan Valley Kings, 19-2.
The Kingsmen were beaten by the Loadmanna Knights in the Blitz event, 3-4, with only Arena Grand Master Rowelyn Joy Acedo and Rosendo Bandal Jr. scoring a win, and International Master Joel Pimentel and National Master Rolzon Roullo settling for a draw.
The Negrenses bounced back in Rapid event in 9-5 score with Acedo, Bandal and Roullo winning and Pimentel, FIDE Master Nelson Mariano III, and Randy Segarra settling for a draw.
The Kingsmen had a second game victory against Northern Division’s Cagayan Valley Kings, courtesy of Acedo, Pimentel, Roullo, Segarra, and Nayk Aguilar Segismar winning their Rapid event match.
Segarra, Acedo, Pimentel, Roullo, Segarra, Segismar, and Bandal also won their Blitz event matches for Negros, while Mariano settled for a draw with his opponent from Cagayan.IMT
