By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights is looking to start its 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) 1st conference campaign with a bang as they take on Zamboanga and Davao today.
After a flawless victory over the Mindoro Tamaraws, 19-2, during the opening game day of PCAP’s first conference of the year, the Kisela Knights will seek to bag wins no. 2 and 3 and continue its unbeaten streak.
Despite the imposing debut win, Iloilo is still trying to figure things out after a massive roster overhaul heading into the 2023 season.
It all came after the Kisela Knights management headed by team owner Leo Sotaridona decided to compete with a full Ilonggo team which has always been the goal to inspire more chess players from Iloilo.
The new Iloilo squad saw GM Joey Antonio, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, and Karl Viktor Ochoa part ways with the Kisela Knights and were replaced by Iloilo’s rising stars in Jovelyn Sepanton of Lemery and Cherry Bendicio of Balasan.
Sepanton already made her debut on the professional stage and quickly turned heads as the young star swept all of her matches in both the rapid and blitz category against Mindoro.
“Both teams na ma face namon tomorrow, strong gid. But despite na all Ilonggo na ang team namon, unlike before, we’re trying our best every round na ma bring ang victory for our team and para sa Iloilo,” said playing head coach Hyubs Canto in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
Iloilo will be facing two tough squads in Zamboanga and Davao that were always consistent since joining the PCAP tourney.
Davao also started its 2023 campaign with a huge series win over Zamboanga last February 18, 2023.
On the other hand, Zamboanga will be looking to enter the winning column and avoid a 0-2 start in the ongoing PCAP conference.
For coach Canto, the Kisela Knights will always be prepared no matter what challenge they will receive and promise to give Davao and Zamboanga a tough fight.
“We’re still flexible and any of our HGs can match sa top-rated players sang Team Davao or Zamboanga, or any other teams sa PCAP,” added Canto.
