By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights are just one series away from a long-awaited Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) grand finals appearance.
After a nail-biting south division semifinals duel against rival squad Camarines Soaring Eagles, the Kisela Knights are now ready for their last test before punching that ticket versus the north division champions.
Iloilo is currently on a groove and has momentum carried over after the upset against Camarines and now that they are up against another tough task of defeating Cordova, the Kisela Knights will be relying once again on flawless execution of their strategies and counters.
Cordova is the no. 1 team in their division tied with Camarines and has only edged the Kisela Knights by just one point in the win-loss record.
The Kisela Knights will also be looking to avenge their regular season loss from Cordova as they were the team that halted their winning streak last month.
On the other hand, Camarines handed the Negros Kingsmen a sweeping loss during their south semifinals, 13.5-7.5, 12-9.
Now that the stage has been set, it is now all up to the Kisela Knights led by GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, Fritz Bryan Porras, and NM John Michael Silvederio to give that first-ever finals appearance to the City of Love.