MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights reached the Southern Division finals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Cup by sweeping Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors in the two-leg division semis.
The Kisela Knights cruised to a 13.5-7.5 victory over the Naki Warriors in the first leg on Saturday night following a 4.5-2.5 escape in the blitz game and 9-5 domination in the rapid event.
Iloilo was blazing in the blitz event with Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 1), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 7) and a draw by John Michael Silvederio (Board 5).
In the rapid event, the Kisela Knights notched two-pointers each from Antonio, Cesar Mariano, Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 6) and Porras and a point from Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2).
The second leg, however, was much closer for both teams with Iloilo cruising to a 12-9 victory over Lapu-Lapu City on 4-3 thriller in the blitz game and an 8-6 triumph in the rapid game.
Antonio, Cesar Mariano and Silvederio were the only players to garner full one point for the Kisela Knights in the second leg’s blitz event, while Ochoa and Mejia halved points with their oppositions.
It was also a close escape for the Kisela Knights in the second leg rapid event with Antonio, Ochoa and Silvederio each finishing with two points. Lloyd Lanciola (Board 6) and Porras split points.
“It was a tough game for us but good thing we found ways to win,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto. “The first game was nice but Lapu-Lapu City was able to make some adjustments in the second leg.”
Kisela Knights will battle Penang of Malaysia, which defeated Camarines in the other Southern Division semifinals series, in a two-game division finals on Wednesday night.
“We managed to defeat them during the group stage but we know that playoffs is a different ball game. So we just have to make some modifications in our game plan,” Canto said./PN
