Cruising to a comfortable 9-0 win loss card, Iloilo Kisela Knights still tops the Southern Division of the ongoing Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup after firing off their opponents over the weekend.
The Leo Sotaridona-owned professional chess team maintained their dominance in the South after defeating Cagayan De Oro, 16-5, and Palawan, 16.5-4.5.
Iloilo started the match with an easy 6.5-0.5 lead in blitz’s seven playing boards. GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan and NM Fritz Bryan Porras kicked off the match with a 4-0 run in the blitz despite Palawan’s WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales win.
Palawan tried to close the gap but GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. countered for Iloilo and ruled board no. 4. NM John Michael Silvederio and Mark Jossel Mariano also chipped in points for the Ilonggos.
Against Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo did not waste away the time after smashing the former with a 6-1 score in blitz. Falling short from winning boards no. 3 and 4 in the rapid category, Iloilo bounced back and won the last four boards for 10-4 victory, thanks to GM Antonio Jr., NM Rolly Parondo Jr., NM Fritz Bryan Porras, and NM Silvederio.
IKK highlights last week was when they stained the perfect record of Camarines-Iriga, 12.5-8.5 and Toledo, 12-9.IMT Sports
