After impressive performances in the semifinals, Iloilo and Negros will face each other in the much-anticipated Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup Southern Division finals on Aug. 3, 2022.

Iloilo Kisela Knights, the reigning Wesley So Cup champion will take on Negros Kingsmen to defend its title and represent the Southern Division in the Grand finals.

To recall, the Ilonggos easily eliminated Toledo Trojan in the semis following a 12.5-8.5 in first leg (4.5-2.5 in blitz, 8-6 in rapid) and 11.5-9.5 in the second leg (3.5-3.5 in blitz, 8-6 in rapid) victories.

IKK ruled the first leg blitz, 4.5-2.5, behind full points by Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4) and Rolly Parondo Jr. (Board 7) and split by Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5).

The Ilonggos also bagged an 8-6 win over Toledo in the first leg rapid event with Gabuzyan, Mejia, Antonio and John Michael Silvederio (Board 6) notching two points apiece.

In the second leg of the Southern Division semis, Iloilo were forced to a 3.5-3.5 draw by Toledo in blitz but the former sealed the with an 8-6 rapid event win behind two points from Gabuzyan, Mejia, Antonio and Parondo.

For IKK Team Manager Hubert Canto, he said Negros Kingsmen’s lineup is predictable. So they need to study the past games and strategies of possible opponents.

“It will be a tight match. Even though we beat them twice in the eliminations, they have improved a lot. We really have to prepare for them and defend our title,” said Team Manager Hubert Canto.

Meanwhile, the Kingsmen needed two Armageddon victories in their two-leg Southern Division semifinals encounter against a tough Davao team to reach the finals.

After being forced to a 10.5-10.5 draw in the first leg, the Kingsmen banked on the heroics of David Elorta (Board 1) and Vietnamese reinforcement Tran Tuan Minh (Board 2) to pull off a 2-1 Armageddon victory.

The Negrenses faced the same fate in the second leg with the blitz and rapid ending up at 10.5-10.5 but Elorta (Board 2) and Tran (Board 3) rose to the occasion anew for a 2-1 escape.IMT Sports