Iloilo Kisela Knights proved to be one of the teams in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation – Ayala Land Cup.
Iloilo was the only undefeated team in the eliminations after 10 games. The team earned their 9th and 10th wins on Saturday night.
The Leo Sotaridona-owned team defeated Mindoro Tamaraws, 17-4 and Negros Kingsmen, 13.5-7 5
Iloilo edged Negros in blitz game, 4.5-2.5, with wins from Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 6) and Mark Mariano (Board 7), and draws by Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 1), Giovanni Mejia (Board 2), and John Michael Silvederio (Board 5). They also outlasted the Kingsmen in rapid event, 9-5, on two-pointers by Antonio, Mejia, Cesar Mariano and Mark Mariano and a draw from Mark Mariano.
Topping the Southern Division with a perfect 10-0 record, Kisela also outplayed the Tamaraws in blitz event, 6-1, with victories by Antonio, Mejia, Cesar Mariano, Silvederio and Porras and draws by Ilongga Fiona Guirhem (Board 3) and Mark Mariano (Board 5). They also rules the rapid game, 11-3, thanks to Antonio, Mejia, Guirhem, Silvederio and Porras and a draw from Cesar Mariano.
The playoffs of the open conference will start on Wednesday with foreign teams seeing action in the tournament. Invited teams are Pengcheng, Penang, Bangkok, Singapore and Sunray Junior as well as Paralympics team.IMT Sports
