MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights cruised to solo first place in the Southern Division standings of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) first conference with a pair of victories on Saturday night.
The Knights kicked off the evening with a 17.5-3.5 victory over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates before following it up with a 17.5-3.5 triumph over Camarines Soaring Eagle.
Against Surigao, Iloilo dominated the blitz event with victories from Grand Master Joey Antonio Jr., Fiona Guirhem, Cesar Mariano, John Michael Silvederio, Mark Jossel Mariano, and Lloyd Lanciola and a draw by National Master Giovanni Mejia.
The Kisela Knights were also leading against Fianchetto Check Mates in the rapid event with victories from Antonio, Karl Viktor Ochoa, Cesar Mariano, Silvederio, and Lanciola and a draw by Guirhem.
Iloilo settled for a draw in blitz game against Camarines, but bounced back in the rapid event with wins from Antonio, Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Dennis Bernas, Silvederio, and Fritz Bryan Porras.
With the team now on top of Southern Division standings and garnering 27-4 win-loss record, Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona said they have a good chance to snatch the top-seed heading into the post-season.
“The team’s hard works are starting to pay off,” Sotaridona said. “With three more games remaining in the elimination, we have firmly secured the top spot in the Southern Division or even the entire conference but we will approach it one game at a time.”
While the Kisela Knights were on a winning run the past few game days, the erstwhile Southern Division leader Negros Kingsmen, meanwhile, split their matches anew on Saturday evening.
The Kingsmen started the night with a 14-7 victory over Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors before suffering a close 11.5-9.5 defeat to Zamboanga Sultans in the second game.
With the outcome, the Kingsmen were now relegated to the second place in the Southern Division standings with 26-5 win-loss record to a tie with the Soaring Eagles./PN
