By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights are currently the hottest team in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament’s Southern division after extending their winning streak to eight straight games.
Fresh off a masterclass against the Laguna Heroes and the Isabela Knight of Alexander, the Kisela Knights cemented their position at the top of their division when they man-handled the Cavite Spartans, 19.5-1.5, and the Cagayan Kings, 12.5-8.5.
The match against the Spartans is Iloilo’s most dominant win of the year so far after only limiting them to just 1.5 points through the 14 total playing boards.
Iloilo started the match with high intensity and grabbed the early 5.5-1.5 lead in the blitz category led by the dominant attack from GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., NM Cesar Mariano, and NM Rolly Parondo Jr.
Cavite’s worst beating came in the last seven playing boards when the Kisela Knights swept them, 14-0, and never gave them any glimmer of hope.
The Kisela Knights continued their strong outing against Cagayan in their last match of the night and had another great start in the blitz category, taking the lead 4.5-2.5.
Cagayan tried to mount a comeback and stayed within striking distance in the last seven playing boards but a clutch win in the last match courtesy of NM Parondo Jr. gave Iloilo the huge victory.
Iloilo’s dominant outing helped them pile up their total points to 219 and is still the no.1 team in the Southern division while placing second overall behind Northern division’s Pasig with 224.5 points.
