Trojans whip Dagami Warriors, nearly stun Kisela Knights

CEBU, Philippines —  The Toledo City Trojans prevailed over the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors in another all-Cebuano showdown and then nearly stunned the mighty Iloilo Kisela Knights in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Premier Cup on Saturday night.

Drawing good games from International Master Rico Mascarinas, Rommel Ganzon, Richard Natividad, Rogelio Enriquez Jr, Glicerio Pardillo Jr. and Christopher Tubalado, the Bonn Rainauld Tibod-skippered Trojans trounced the Dagami Warriors in rapid event, 10-4.

Counting their 4-3 cliffhanger in blitz, the Trojans safely cruised to a 14-7 triumph over the Dagami Warriors, who tasted their third consecutive setback in as many starts. Cordova got their other setback of the day at the hands of the Camarines Soaring Eagles, 8.5-12.5.

Moments later, the Trojans of playing co-team owner Atty. Jeah Jean Gacang and team manager Felix Poloyapoy Jr. courageously held on their ground before absorbing a nerve-wracking 10-11 defeat to the formidable Kisela Knights powered by Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., National Masters Cesar Mariano, Giovanni Mejia, and John Michael Silveder, and Woman FIDE Master Cherry Anne Mejia.

The Trojans fought to a draw with Iloilo in the rapid segment, 7-7, but was edged earlier by Iloilo in blitz, 3-4, thus the hairline loss.

Still, Toledo finds itself at third place in the Southern Division standings with a 2-1 win-loss record behind the unbeaten Kisela Knights and the Negros Kingsmen, both with 3-0 records.

The Kingsmen coasted to their third straight victory at the expense of the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 17-4, and the Mindoro Tamaraws, 15-6.

The Naki Warriors, led by NMs Elwin Retanal and Edsel Montoya and Woman IM Bernadette Galas, went on to suffer a double whammy after bowing to the Palawan Queen’s Gambit by the narrowest of margins, 10-11.

It was Lapu-Lapu’s second straight debacle after kicking off its campaign in the third and season-ending conference of the country’s first pro chess league with a 13-8 drubbing of Mindoro. — EBV