By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights had another 1-1 split outing in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Premier Association Cup playoffs.
Facing two of the toughest teams in Day 9 of the PCAP playoffs, the Kisela Knights nipped the Isabela Knight Raiders in their first match while taking a tightly-contested defeat at the hands of the Manila Indios Bravos.
It was the same story during the PCAP playoffs Day 8 as the Kisela Knights also ended the day with a split after a win against Rizal and a loss to Caloocan.
In their first match, Iloilo had to endure an inspired Isabela team that fought to the end and managed to hang on with the Kisela Knights, 11-10.
It was an ideal start for Iloilo as they immediately led 5-2 in the first seven playing boards with emphatic wins from WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and Cesar Mariano.
However, Isabela flipped the switch in the last category as they stormed back from an early deficit to take an 8-6 lead but Iloilo had enough total points to secure the much-needed victory.
Meanwhile, against Manila, the Kisela Knights were again rolling offensively but had to give up a couple of points in the rapid category that cost them the match, 10-11.
The Kisela Knights are still at the no. 2 spot of the Southern division with a 6-3 win-loss record behind the PH Paralympics team despite another 1-1 split outing.
