By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights earned another momentum-boosting win after out-maneuvering the top team in the Northern Division, Caloocan, 12-9, during the ongoing inter-division round-robin stage of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wesley So Cup.
Despite falling at the hands of the powerhouse Manila team that broke their impressive 17-0 winning streak in the tournament, the Kisela Knights bounced back and weren’t to be denied this time after taking care of Caloocan.
Iloilo was unfazed going up against the northern division’s best team and immediately grabbed an early 5-2 lead in the blitz category that helped them establish the much-needed confidence for the last seven playing boards.
However, Caloocan responded in the rapid category and notched the first two playing boards courtesy of IM Paulo Bersamina and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia.
Just when Caloocan thought they will already ride their two-board streak, the Ilonggos had other plans and countered with a 3-0 run in the next three boards.
The trio of WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, NM Cesar Mariano, and NM Fritz Bryan Porras spearheaded the Kisela assault that helped Iloilo regain the lead in the rapid category.
Caloocan saved their best for last and pulled off a hard-earned last board victory when Paul Sanchez got the better of Iloilo’s NM Rolly Parondo Jr. but wasn’t enough to boost their points and defeat the Kisela Knights.
Meanwhile, Iloilo concluded their PCAP game day with a masterclass display against Cagayan, 18.5-2.5, and went for another sweep.
There was nothing that Cagayan could do the whole match as Iloilo led from the get-go and finished the duel in style.
The Kisela Knights quickly pounced on Cagayan in the blitz category after leading 5.5-1.5 and were in total domination in the rapid category after scoring all seven board wins with a 13-1 score.
Iloilo will seek to continue their momentum and gun for a 4-0 winning streak when they face Laguna and San Juan of the Northern division on June 29.
