Iloilo Kisela Knights made their presence felt in the opening game of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference Season 2, defeating Palawan over the weekend.

The Leo Sotaridona-owned team which was the reigning Wesley So Cup champion, made a threatening appearance as they defeated Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 11.5-7.5.

With new reinforcement, the Iloilo-based professional chess team relied on their homegrown players, veteran Joey Antonio and newly-acquired Rolly Parondo and Horizon Villanueva to secure its first victory.

Meanwhile, the Kingsmen also returned to action and with their new new-look, they opened their campaign with a 13.5-7.5 victory over Iriga City Oragons.

The Negrenses struggled in the blitz event against the Oragons, 1.5-5.5, with only Natori Biazza Diaz scoring a victory in the third board, while Rolzon Roullo settled for a draw in the fifth board.

Despite trailing in the game, the Kingsmen, however, bounced back in the rapid game, 12-2, with victories by Alvin Alcala (Board 1), Randy Segarra (Board 2), Adrian Pacis (Board 4), Edsel Montoya (Board 6), and Ted Ian Montoyo (Board 7) and draws by Diaz and Roullo.

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa was named the first ever Most Valuable Player of the first season during the opening ceremony. Barbosa has led the San Juan Predators to the third conference title as well as a second place finish in the Wesley So Cup during the 2021 campaign.

The Pasig King Pirates won the Tag Team Champions Award while player, Eric Labog Jr., was named Best Player of the Third Conference.

Iloilo’s NM John Michael Silvederio and NM Fritz Bryan Porras were also part of the Mythical Seven and won the best players on the Homegrown Boards

The other members of the Mythical Seven include San Juan’s Jan Jodilyn Fronda as the Best Lady Player, IM Cris Ramayrat formerly of the Manila Indios Bravos and now with the Pasig King Pirates for the Best Senior Player, and GM John Paul Gomez (Laguna Heroes).

The Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates won the Team Sportsmanship Award.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26, Kisela Knights will have a double-header schedule versus Iriga and Davao while Negros will face Davao and Camarines.IMT Sports