Iloilo Kisela Knights fulfilled their dreams to become the champion of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup Conference.
The team owned by Leo Sotaridona and managed by Team Manager Gil Libutaque and Asst. Manager Hubert Canto showed excellent moves on the board and defeated Northern Division champ San Juan Predators.
IKK came up short in the first blitz match, scoring only two points, courtesy of GM Hovhannes Gabuyzan’s one point and 0.5 each from Cesar Mariano and NM John Michael Silvederio.
But the Ilonggos, including their Guimarasnon star, keep on keeping their heads high and managed to stage a comeback in the rapid event, tallying 11 points for a 13-8 first match victory, thanks to a two-point contributions of GM Rogelio Antonio, WFM Cherry Mae Mejia, Fritz Bryan Porras, and NM Silvederio. GM Gabuyzan, Mariano and Dennis Bernas also shared one point each for the Kisela Knights.
In the second match, IKK also asserted their dominance after winning the blitz, 4.5 from victories of GM Gabuyzan (1), Karl Viktor Ochoa (0.5), Mariano (1), NM Silvederio (1), and Porras (1).
In the rapid category, the team banked on Mariano, GM Gabuyzan, Mejia, Bernas who did the damage for a seven-point victory, ending the match, 11.5-9.5.
For Sotaridona, he said it’s really a team efforts from start to finish. He said the hard works did payoff tonight and more success to come as all will continue to improve individually and as a team. He also lauded the efforts and sterling performance of GM Gabuyzan.
“We are thankful for GM Gabuzyan for playing with us. Today’s triumph will be recorded as significant history-making for Iloilo Kisela Knights and for Iloilo – and he is a significant part of it. We wish him best in all his future endeavors,” he added.IMT
