By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights made their third-straight Southern Division finals appearance after sweeping the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 2-0, during the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Inter-division semifinals.
After overcoming the tough task of taking down the Toledo City Trojans twice during the Southern division quarterfinals, the Kisela Knights proved they were the superior team as they continued their unbeaten streak in the playoffs.
In the first game, the Kisela Knights were again in familiar territory after taking the early lead, 4.5-2.5, in the Blitz category.
Lapu-Lapu tried to answer back in the Rapid category but a strong back-to-back board win by the Kisela Knights closed the show for a 9-5 victory in the last seven boards.
No matter how Lapu-Lapu tried to shift gears and strategies, it was the same scenario in the next game when Iloilo immediately grabbed the early lead of the match.
Lapu-Lapu fought with all they had and inched as close as two points in the Rapid category but strong finishes from Lloyd Lanciola and Fritz Bryan Porras gave Iloilo enough cushion to claim the series win.
Iloilo will then face the mighty Penang team in the Southern Division grand finals after sweeping the Camarines Soaring Eagles in the other bracket.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Division, two rival squads, Caloocan and San Juan will meet again in the finals. The winner between the two will face the winner between Iloilo and Penang.
