MANILA – The Iloilo Kisela Knights advances to the Southern Division finals of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup after ruling the two sets of play against Camarines Soaring Eagle on Saturday night.
During the first round of their two-set semifinals, Iloilo and Camarines finished with 10.5-10.5 to force an “Armageddon,” where Kisela Knights bowed down to the Soaring Eagle, 2-1, with Karl Victor Ochoa winning.
Iloilo bounced back in the second set and posted a 12.5-8.5 triumph over Camarines, which forced another Armageddon to determine who will enter the finals.
In the final Armageddon, the Kisela Knights prevailed over the foe, 2-1, behind victories by Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 2) and Ochoa (Board 3).
“Great comeback for Iloilo Kisela Knights. We won together as a team as one cover each other,” said Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona. “Our tension-filled game against the Camarines showed how teamwork makes a difference.”
The Iloilo Kisela Knights will face the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors in the division finals slated on July 28. The Southern Division top-seed Dagami Warriors joined the division finale after ousting the Negros Kingsmen in their two-leg division semifinals.
The Dutchess Dagami Warriors first recorded a 13.5-7.5 victory over the Kingsmen and followed it up with a 12-9 triumph in the second set./PN
