Iloilo closes last day of eliminations with emphatic win over Mindoro

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Last day, last hoorah.

The Iloilo Kisela Knights ended the last day of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) eliminations with a bang to formally clinch the no. 1 slot in the Southern division.

Poised and composed, the Kisela Knights showed no mercy and crushed the Mindoro Tamaraws, 18.5-2.5 to clinch the top spot in the Southern playoffs.

Iloilo pulled-off one of their most majestic performances of the season after keeping all their playing boards clean with no defeat for both Blitz and Rapid category.

GM Joey Antonio Jr., NM Giovanni Mejia, Karl Viktor Ochoa, Fritz Bryan Porras, Dennis Bernas, and NM John Michael Silvederio were the showstoppers after delivering back-to-back board wins for Iloilo during the onslaught.

The ailing Mindoro squad saw their team lose all seven boards in the Blitz category and only managed two draws in the Rapid.

With the teams all set for the March 24 quarterfinals, the Kisela Knights will begin their quest for glory against the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors.

Meanwhile, rival Negros Kingsmen will be facing the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors and Northern division top squad Laguna will be squaring off with the Antipolo Cobras.