Iloilo hands Caloocan first loss in PCAP tourney, sweeps Day 7

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Iloilo Kisela Knights edged the powerhouse Caloocan Loadmanna Knights in one of the most thrilling matches in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament Day 7.

It took GM Joey Antonio Jr. and the Iloilo-based squad a huge collective effort to outlast one of the best teams in the Northern Division and register a score of 11.5-9.5.

Entering the matchup as the underdogs, the Kisela Knights managed to quickly turn things around to complete the upset against the favorite Loadmanna Knights.

Iloilo conquered the Blitz category, 4.5-2.5 and managed to keep things close in the Rapid category to end the showdown in a draw, 7-7 to clinch the much-needed victory.

During the second phase of Day 7, Iloilo maintained its momentum and dealt the Cagayan Kings a crushing defeat, 18-3.

The successful Day 7 gave the Kisela Knights a huge boost heading into their next scheduled matches and is now tied with Negros and Camarines for the Southern Division top spot with a record of 11-2.