Iloilo Kisela Knights outlast reigning champ Laguna in nail-biter clash

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Iloilo Kisela Knights picked up one of their biggest wins in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) season II “Wesley So Cup Conference” after nipping the All-Filipino conference reigning champs, the Laguna Heroes, 11-10.

In one of the most intense matches in the ongoing professional chess league, the Kisela Knights rode their clutch Blitz category momentum after a tie, 7-7, in the Rapid category.

To break the tie, Iloilo’s WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, NM Cesar Mariano, Dennis Bernas, and NM John Michael Silvederio spearheaded a four-board consecutive win.

WFM Mejia and NM Silvederio would then pick up another win in the Rapid category to lead Iloilo with a one-point advantage against Laguna.

During the second match, the Kisela Knights continued to dominate and crushed the Isabela Knight Raiders, 16-5, in an inter-conference showdown.

The huge back-to-back wins helped the Kisela Knights clinch the second spot in the Southern division but are still tied with Camarines.

In the statistical points, Iloilo is leading their division with 331.5 total points and is second overall behind San Juan of the Northern division with 347 points.