Iloilo forces another grand finals showdown with San Juan in 2022 PCAP

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

So it’s going to be Iloilo against San Juan in the grand finals, again.

After two months of elimination phase and playoffs, the Iloilo Kisela Knights and the San Juan Predators will be squaring off in another Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) grand finals showdown.

This came after the Kisela Knights swept the Davao Eagles, 12-9, 17-4, in the Southern division finals while San Juan dismissed Pasig, 11.5-9.5, 11.5-9.5, in the Northern division finals.

The Kisela Knights survived the surging Davao team in the first game after trailing 3-4 in the first seven playing boards of the match.

However, Iloilo had a huge bounce back in the rapid category courtesy of stellar outings from Karl Viktor Ochoa, NM Cesar Mariano, NM Fritz Bryan Porras, and NM Rolly Parondo Jr.

The Kisela Knights followed with a much stronger performance during the second match and crushed Davao on all the 14 playing boards.

Iloilo never trailed in both the categories, 5-2, 12-2, and was led by consistent board plays from GM Antonio Rogelio Jr. and NM John Michael Silvederio.

With another grand finals matchup against the tough San Juan team, the Kisela Knights are looking to score the much-needed payback win for the first 2022 PCAP title.

Meanwhile, the San Juan team is looking to continue their stellar play with momentum on their side heading into their matchup against Iloilo after taking down the no. 1 team of the tournament, team Pasig.