Iloilo Kisela Knights successfully punched ticket to the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) – All Filipino Conference Season 2 Grand Finals.

This, after the Leo Sotaridona-owned professional chess team eliminated Davao in two-straight sets.

The Ilonggos have a hard time in the opening blitz, trailing by one point over Davao, 3-4. But with determined spirit, they outpointed their foe to seal the first set victory, 12-9.

In the second set, IKK delivered the killer moves on the board, ending Davao’s hope to reach the grand finals with the latter suffering from a 17-4 defeat.

With the win, the team will return to the grand finals and will face the San Juan Predators in the much-anticipated PCAP Grandfinals on Saturday.

In the blitz, the team’s 3-4 loss only Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7) was the only winner while Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3) and Cesar Mariano (Board 4) settled for draw.

Iloilo bounced back in rapid game with a 9-5 victory over Davao courtesy of two pointers by Ochoa, Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6) and Parondo and a split from Antonio.

With more confidence, Kisela Knights easily hammered Davao in second leg blitz game, 5-2, on wins by Antonio, Ochoa, Mariano and John Michael Silvederio (Board 7) and a draw by Mejia.

The Kisela Knights then hacked out a 12-2 triumph in the second leg rapid game with two-pointers from Antonio, Ochoa, Mejia, Mariano, Parondo and Silvederio.

“Prepared man kami kag confident sa line up for tomorrow’s game. Tani di lang maliwat ang natabo last time nga balda amun internet connection para Maka focus kami. Ga expect ko nga kung sin-o makadaog sa 1st match, siya maka gain momentum. Muna nga importante samun ang 1st match,” Silvederio explained.

This will be the third consecutive championship clash between Iloilo and San Juan with the Kisela Knights ruling the 2021 PCAP Wesley So Cup and Predators bouncing back in the 2021 PCAP Third Conference.

“It will be a very good match up given the similarities of our team composition and team structure. Without a doubt, SJC is fired up and determined to claim, as much as we do, the championship trophy. It will boil down to final preparation, board placement, sharpness of play during the match, internet connection, and some element of luck. Both teams being the most consistent grand final contenders from start to date, we can’t be more happy with our performance. All the same, may the best team wins,” said Sotaridona.IMT Sports