MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights is a step closer from defending its Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup title after reaching the 2022 finals with a sweep of Negros Kingsmen on Wednesday.
The Kisela Knights escaped with a 11-10 triumph over the Kingsmen in the first leg of the division finals before following it up with a 12.5-8.5 win in the second leg to top the Southern Division.
Iloilo escaped with a close 4-3 win in the first leg blitz with Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), and Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5) notching one point each.
Both teams, however, ended with 7-7 score in the rapid event with Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Antonio and Horizon Villanueva (Board 7) finishing with two points each and Mejia settling for a split.
Able to regroup, the Kisela Knights prevailed over the Kingsmen in the second leg blitz game, 4.5-2.5, on wins by Gabuzyan, Ochoa and Cesar Mariano (Board 7) and half point by Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5).
The Kisela Knights then hacked out a close 8-6 triumph in the second leg rapid game with two-pointers from Antonio, Parondo and Villanueva and one point each from Mejia and Porras.
“It was a hard earned victory for us. Negros has always been a tough opponent for us,” Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto said. “Credit to our veterans for their strong showing until the end.”
The Kisela Knights is set to face Northern Division champions Pasig City Pirates in a two-leg championship round on Saturday night. Pirates reached the finals after stunning San Juan Predators.
This will be the first finals encounter between Iloilo and Pasig after the Kisela Knights faced the first conference champions Predators in their previous championship stints.
“We have to be wary of Pasig,” Canto said. “Even if we beaten then during the regular season, they might surprise us, just like what they did against San Juan.”/PN
