Iloilo Kisela Knights kick off 2022 PCAP campaign against Palawan

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Finally, the Iloilo Kisela Knights are back in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino conference as the 2022 season kicks off today.

The Iloilo-based chess squad will return to the national pro scene and will seek to clinch their first win against co-southern division team Ventura Palawan-Albay Queen’s Gambit.

Fresh off a runner-up finish during the season-ending conference of PCAP last year, the Kisela Knights are more determined than ever to get back their crown as the league’s former champions.

The Kisela Knights fell at the hands of the mighty San Juan Predators during their San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Premier Association Cup grand finals showdown, 19-2, 11.5-9.5.

Despite coming up short during the last conference of 2021, It was still a good run for the Kisela Knights after punching their second-straight PCAP grand finals appearance and proved to everyone they are still the no. 1 team in the Southern division.

Now with another chapter about to unfold, the revamped Kisela Knights are ready again to impress in the PCAP tourney.

“We are ready and eager to get more championships for this Season 2 of PCAP. Si GM Joey Antonio Jr. is senior na namin ngayon, so flexible na line up namin plus 2 additional HGs na si Horizon Villanueva and NM Rolly Parondo Jr. na pwede ring lumaban sa top rated category. Excited na ako para sa first match ngayong Saturday. We will be facing team Palawan,” said Iloilo’s manager Hyubert Canto in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.

The Kisela Knights have remained intact with their core players led by GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and will seek to continue their PCAP dominance streak of straight playoffs appearances.