Iloilo gets back at Camarines to qualify for PCAP Southern division finals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Iloilo Kisela Knights finally had their revenge against the team that knocked them out of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Season I.

Still haunted by their loss against the Camarines Soaring Eagles during last season’s Southern division finals, the Kisela Knights executed their game plan to perfection and was able to grab the hard-earned series win, 10.5-10.5, 12.5-8.5.

It seemed like the two heavyweight chess squads can’t be separated in their first clash as the series ended up in an Armageddon tie.

Eager to pick up the momentum in the first category, the Kisela Knights jumped to an early 5.5-1.5 lead in the second match.

GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, Fritz Bryan Porras, and NM John Michael Silvederio led the Iloilo attack in the Blitz category as they delivered the much-needed wins in the first seven playing boards.

It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the Rapid category as both teams were tied seven-apiece but Iloilo’s lead in the Blitz category allowed them to take the semifinals win.

With the win, the Kisela Knights will be facing their division’s no. 1 team, the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors in the highly-anticipated south finals.