Iloilo and Negros made the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines’ (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Cup more thrilling with their unblemished record in the tournament.
Bannering the Ilonggo squad of Leo Sotaridona, Iloilo Kisela Knights earned their sixth win on Saturday after dismantling Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 16-5, in their lone match.
It was an easy match for the reigning Wesley So Cup champion as they hammered Cordova in Blitz, 6-1, behind impressive showing of GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Karl Victor Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, and John Michael Silvederio. They also outplayed their foe in Rapid, 10-4.
“We have a very solid team from the top to the lower boards. Our championship preparations during the 2nd conference can still be felt this conference. There are changes in the composition of other teams that made team slightly weaker. And finally, it is also possible that some teams are not showing their best during the elimination stage as a matter of strategy,” shared Sotaridona.
Meanwhile, Negros Kingsmen also cruised to a 6-0 win-loss record after beating Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 14-7 and Toledo City Trojans, 11.5-9.5.
Negros crushed Surigao, 6-1, behind victories by Randy Segarra, Rowelyn Acedo, Jenny Mayor, Theseus Benitez Jr., and Adrian dela Cruz, as well as draws by Mari Joseph Turquiza and Rolzon Roullo. In Rapid, the Kingsmen outpointed the Checkmates following an 8-6 win.
The Kingsmen finished with an identical 3.5-3.5 record against Trojans in Blitz, thanks to Turquiza, Roullo, Segarra, Benitez, and Dela Cruz.
Negros survived the Blitz game with Toledo City, 8-6, with only Segarra, Turquiza, and Acedo earning two points in the first three boards and Benitez and Roullo settling for a point each.
Kingsmen team manager Junaico Segismar admitted it was a tough match. “Our players were pushed to the limit, especially in the Rapid, but good thing we were able to win a tightly contested match that could have gone either way,” he added.IMT Sports
