MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights reached the finals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup after ousting Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors in their two-leg encounter, 15.5-5.5 (first leg) and 13-8 (second leg), in the Southern Division finals on Saturday night.
The Iloilo City-based squad edged Cordova in the first leg blitz game on triumphs by Hovhannes Gabuzyan, Karl Viktor Ochoa, Cesar Mariano, John Michael Silvederio, and Dennis Bernas. Iloilo also ruled the rapid play on wins by Rogelio Antonio Jr., Cherry Ann Mejia, Bernas, and Porras.
In their second leg encounter, Gabuzyan, Mejia, Porras, and Bernas delivered victories for Kisela Knights in blitz while Mariano settled for a draw. Cordova also bowed down to Iloilo in the rapid match.
“It was a total team effort,” Kisela Knights owner Leo Sotaridona said. “It was a great comeback for us, and this tension-filled action against Cordova showed Iloilo Kisela Knights’ teamwork became a difference.”
The victory earned Iloilo Kisela Knights the right to battle San Juan Predators of the Northern Division in the two-leg championship bout on Wednesday night. The Predators advanced to the finals after beating Laguna Heroes.
Kisela Knights have previously faced the Predators in the Wesley So Cup, where they tasted a 13-8 defeat, but Sotaridona believes the championship match is a different game./PN
