MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen capped off their 2022 PCAP All-Filipino Conference elimination round matches with victories on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights finished on top of the Southern Division standings with 30-4 win-loss record after a 13-8 beating of Tacloban, which ended their campaign with 4-30 slate.
Iloilo edged Tacloban in blitz game, 5-2, on victories by Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 5), and Horizon Villanueva (Board 6).
The Kisela Knights barely escaped Tacloban in the rapid event, 8-6, with Mejia, Mariano, Parondo and Villanueva getting the full two points each.
The Kisela Knights will advance to the quarterfinals on Wednesday against either Cagayan de Oro or Cebu, which will battle in a play-in tournament on Saturday.
“This one week break heading into the playoffs is a welcome development for us. We will have lengthier time to prepare whoever we will face,” said Kisela Knights head coach Hubert Canto.
The Kingsmen, on the other hand, finished as the no.4 seed team going into the playoffs round with 22-12 win-loss record following a 12.5-8.5 victory over Palawan.
The Kingsmen prevailed over Palawan in the blitz game, 4.5-2.5, following victories by Ellan Asuela (Board 1), Adrian Pacis (Board 4), Edsel Montoya (Board 5) and Rolzon Roullo (Board 6) and a draw by Mari Turqueza (Board 2).
Negros also defeated Palawan in rapid event, 8-6, with Asuela, Pacis and Montoya getting the full two points and both Turqueza and Roullo splitting their points.
The Kingsmen will battle No. 5 ranked Surigao in the Southern Division quarterfinals on Wednesday next week./PN
