It will be a neck-and-neck clash as Iloilo Kisela Knights faces Negros Kingsmen in the semifinals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Season 2 on April 2, 2022.

The reigning Wesley So Cup champion will be challenged by the Negrenses who also eye to reach the Southern Division finals.

Both teams successfully booked their semis tickets after eliminating their opponents on Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

IKK easily defeated Cagayan de Oro in the two-set quarterfinals match — 16.5-4.5 in the first set (4.5-2.5 in blitz and 12-2 in rapid) and 17-4 in their second set (6-1 in blitz and 11-3 in rapid).

It was a collaborative effort of Cesar Mariano, Karl Victor Ochoa, Cherry Ann Mejia, Rogelio Antonio Jr., Rolly Parondo Jr., and Fritz Bryan Porras who played a key role in Kisela Knights’ first set win over Cagayan de Oro.

Ochoa, Mejia, Antonio, Parondo, John Michael Silvederio, and Porras, also lifted the squad in the blitz and rapid event of their quarterfinals second set match with CDO.

For team owner Leo Sotaridona, they’ve been preparing for playoffs for a while now and they have better chances than any of the southern team.

“Preparation is crucial plus paying attention to minor details to improving our winning chance – things like player placement, opponent familiarity, element of surprise, and so on. Equally important is physical and psychological conditioning – e.g., going to the tournament sleepy is totally unacceptable,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Kingsmen also swept their games against Surigao — 14.5-6.5 in the first set (4.5-2.5 in blitz and 10-4 in rapid) and 12-9 in second leg (3-4 in blitz and 9-5 in rapid).

David Elorta, Mari Turquiza, Ellan Asuela, Ted Ian Montoyo and Edsel Montoya provided the sparks for Negros’ lopsided first set triumph over Surigao. In the second set, the Kingsmen faltered in blitz but crawled back in the rapid game, thanks to two-pointers produced by Elorta, Turquiza, Montoyo and Montoya and a draw by Asuela.

The Kisela Knights and the Kingsmen are set to face each other in a two-leg Southern Division semifinals round on Saturday evening.IMT Sports