It was an impressive finish for the Iloilo Kisela Knights (IKK) as they wrapped up the first conference of the just-concluded Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) with a third place feat over the weekend.

IKK made a remarkable performance in the inaugural tournament after eliminating San Juan Predators, 14-7 to salvage the bronze medal.

For team’s Grandmaster Joey Antonio Jr., he thinks the third place is good result for their team although they had bad luck against Camarines in the first set of division final.

“Nothing can be ashamed of. We did our best but our best wasn’t good enough. I think we will try to make it better in the next conference,” he added.

Starting the nerve-wracking clash, the Iloilo-based professional chess club, emerged victorious in blitz after a 4-3 margin, courtesy of Cherry Ann Mejia, Fritz Bryan Porras, and Dennis Bernas Antonio and Karl Victor Ochoa.

But it was a total wreckage in the rapid category as Kisela easily dismantled San Juan, 10-4, thanks to Ochoa, Bernas, Porras, Cesar Mariano, Antonio and Mejia.

Oton, Iloilo native John Michael Silvederio considered the first season as a good start for Kisela.

“We did pretty well. Sa start sang league, we thought mabudlayan amun team kay sa nakita namun sa line ups sang iban, daw tagilid gid kami. Pero kay may teamwork gid sa team like gatinudluay kami sang possible nga tira sang kontra. Daw dako gid nga bagay kag nangin happy gid kami sa outcome. Not our time pa mag champion pero mastrive pa gid kami sa next conference,” explained Silvederio.

To recall, the Ilonggos fell short from the hands of Camarines Soaring Eagle after the latter snatched the victory in the Southern Division Finale, 2-1.

According to team owner Leo Sotaridona, they aimed for a grand trophy, the whole team worked very hard for it, but fell short. So the hunt for the grand trophy continues until they have it.

“Post conference 1, I think we have all what it takes to be a champ. We, the top teams, closely matched, every match is no guarantee to anyone. What it meant moving forward is simply to train more and be the best, no more no less. Outside the trophy, the team is self-driven to be the best. Most of them are aiming to be masters and grandmasters so winning the trophy is just another source of motivation towards that higher goal,” he added.

Hubert Canto, assistant manager, said it was a successful All-Filipino PCAP conference.

“Players need more practice and exposure, though they’re already good. Practice makes perfect. IKK provides sources that will help improve the skills of the players. The second conference is Wesley So Cup. It will be an exciting conference since there will be an import. And early as now, we’re already preparing; review weaknesses, playing styles of opponents, improve opening repertoires, etc.We’ll try our best to clinch the championship title for the upcoming conference. Also, we’re hoping that Iloilo Province and City will support IKK in this endeavour,” Canto shared.

Other members of the team were Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem, Gio Mejia, Mark Jossel Mariano, and Lloyd Lanciola.

“PCAP was a successful season and every round during this season, all players were very competitive. I am looking forward for a more challenging and another close fight among the various teams in the upcoming season,” Guirhem said.

For Gio, he hopes to improve his game in the next season. “Siguro sa assesment mas need ko pa mabigay yung best ko and ma-ensure yung win pag pinapaglaro ako lalo na sa mga crucial games. Kasi every point counts talaga sa PCAP. Then expectation naman for next season is sana makuwa na namin yung championship since mas mapaghahandaan na namin yung opponents and alam na namin pano sila mag laro,” he added.

Bernas, on his part, said he wants the next season to penalize those who caught cheating during the game.

“I hope may penalty sa ma caught nga nag cheat and tani ma ban gid sa PCAP hindi nga pasensyahan lng. Ang internet connection gid tni nami gid connection every game sa PCAP kay importante gid na sa game ka gamay lng nga lag dako gid epekto sa game,” he added.

Founded on Oct. 2020, Iloilo Kisela Knights is one of the 24 franchised teams in the first ever PCAP tournament. They made a buzz and got the attention of the crowd when they topped the whole eliminations. The team hopes to return in the second season as exciting moves will be witnessed with the presence of import players.IMT