THE Iloilo Kisela Knights are the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup chess champions.

The Kisela Knights brought down the San Juan Predators, 13-8 and 11.5-9.5, in an entertaining two-match showdown pitting the South and North Division champions last Wednesday.

GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan shone brightest for Iloilo as he swept all his four matches against Arden Reyes at the top board and led the Kisela Knights to the title and the P150,000 top prize.

San Juan settled for the runner-up prize of P70,000.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, Fritz Bryan Porras, Dennis Bernas and NM John Michael Silvederio also came through with much-needed victories for the Kisela Knights of United States-based businessman Leo Sotaridona.

Antonio, the “Iron Man” of online chess, defeated GM Victor Moskalenko in the second of their two-game encounter in rapid to help the Kisela Knights secure the championship.

Mejia matched Antonio’s feat when she upset Fronda in their two rapid games which counted for four points, two more than the result in blitz.

Fronda swept Mejia in two blitz games.

Porras shocked GM Oliver Barbosa in rapid in the first set, and Bernas did the same in the second match for loilo’s other major victories.

NM Cesar Mariano also contributed to the team’s success by beating IM Ricardo de Guzman, 2-1, in the first set and drawing 1.5-1.5, the following set in the senior board.

Former world youth campaigner Karl Victor Ochoa did his share by drawing one of two blitz games against Moskalenko.

Narquingel Reyes was the lone winner for San Juan as he beat Bernas, 2-1, in the first set and Silvederio, 2-1, in the second match.

“To God be the glory. Congratulations to the Kisela Knights.We dedicate this victory to all Ilonggos and Guimarasnons,” said Sotaridona.

Sotaridona also thanked both GM So and San Miguel Corporation for sponsoring the tournament.

The Kisela Knights advanced to the grand championship after defeating Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 13-8 and 15.5-5.5 in the South finals, while the Predators booked their finals ticket by eliminating All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes, 12-9 and 13.5-7.5 in the North.

In the battle for third place, Cordova toppled Laguna, 10.5-10.5 and 2-1 in Armagedon.

Merben Roque stunned GM John Paul Gomez and Bryle Arellano toppled GM Rogelio Barcenila, Jr. in a pair of upset victories.

GM Kiril Shevchenko of Laguna and GM Nitzan Steinberg of Cordova agreed to a draw in the first board.

Shevchenko, however, took the full point for Laguna since a draw is a win for black.

The Wesley So Cup served as the second conference of PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay league headed by President- Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and Vice Chairman Ariel Potot.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra.