Results on Wednesday night, November 24, 2021
The Iloilo Kisela Knights defeated Penang Malaysia, 9.5-11.5, 14.5-6.5, 2-1 (armageddon) in tie breaker to topped the southern division
The San Juan Predators, for their part, beat the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 14-7, and 16.5-4.5, in 2 sets to conquer the northern division
Inauguration Champion: Laguna Heroes
Second conference Champion: Iloilo Kisela Knights
Third conference: Iloilo versus San Juan (a classic rematch) on Saturday, November 27, 2021
MANILA, Philippines--The Iloilo Kisela Knights and the San Juan Predators are set to meet in the third conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines-PCAP grand finals to be held virtually Saturday night, November 27, 2021 at chess.com platform.
Southern Kings Iloilo, led by GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., NM Karl Victor Ochoa, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, NM Fritz Bryan Porras, NM John Michael Silvederio and NM Cesar Mariano, will clash against (a classic rematch) the northern rulers San Juan, spearheaded by GM Oliver Barbosa, IM Rolando Nolte, IM Ricardo De Guzman, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, FM Arden Reyes and NM Michael Gotel.
The Kisela Knights, who are shooting for their back-to-back PCAP title, spearheaded by Ochoa and Porras successfully sealed the victory, 2-1, during the armageddon, a do-or-die match against Penang (Malaysia) which determines the winner by fielding three players for each team sending Kisela Knights to the conference grand finals.
Ochoa toppled FM Wong Ying Long and Porras defeated NM Evan Capel. Poh Yu Tian upset Antonio.
"As always, it really is a team efforts, one covering another. I can’t be more proud of you all for your fighting spirit and determination to deliver your best," shared team owner Leo Sotaridona.
The foreign (Penang, Malaysia) team upset Iloilo, 11.5-9.5, in the first match. However with a never-say-die spirit, the Leo Sotaridona-owned team bounced back and tied the scoreboard, 14.5 - 6.5, in the second match that force an a do-or-die match against Penang (Malaysia) that the former prevailed, 2-1.
The San Juan Predators, for their part, beat the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 14-7, and 16.5-4.5, in 2 sets to conquer the northern division.
"The win versus Caloocan was closer than it seems. The Caloocan Loadmanna Knights is a formidable and talent-rich team and could have won over us at any given day. It is through constant training, positive mindset and a touch of good fortune that we Predators were able to prevail. The win really belongs to the coach, the players and its supporters," said San Juan Predators Team Owner Michael Angelo Ong Chua.
It shall be recalled that Iloilo Kisela Knights opened the two-leg championship round with a 13-8 victory over the favored San Juan Predators before following it up with a close 11.5-9.5 second leg triumph for its first-ever PCAP crown last August 4, 2021 during the second conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines grandfinals dubbed as GM Wesley So Cup. -Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), founding president-commissioner Atty.Paul Elauria (left) awarded the championships trophy to Iloilo Kisela Knights representing their top board player Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. last Sunday held at Robinsons Magnolia, Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City.
Iloilo beat San Juan, 13-8, and 11.5-9.5, during the second conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines grandfinals dubbed as GM Wesley So Cup for its first-ever PCAP crown last August 4, 2021.
(Photo from GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. facebook account)