by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The defending champion Laguna Heroes once again showed dominance in Monday’s (June 21, 2021) match of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) in inter-division play on online tournament dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup after beating Cebu City Machers, 16-5, and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 12.5-8.5, at chess.com platform.
The defending champion Laguna Heroes started the double-header with a 16-5 beating of Cebu City Machers and followed it up with 12.5-8.5 victory against the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors to improve to a 17-4 record.
“We feel very good. We did well in both matches. ” said Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
Supported by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna chess team easily dominated Cebu in the first match.
Heroes won the blitz game with wins by 2-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr.(Board 1), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus (Board 2), Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez (Board 3), Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (Board 5), Vince Angelo Medina (Board 6) and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Board 7).
The Laguna team also made sure to win the game by ending the rapid category with wins from Barcenilla (Board 1), Enriquez (Board 3), Gomez (Board 5), Medina (Board 6) and Lorenzo (Board 7).
Duplicating its solid performance, Laguna continued their winning streak at the expense of Cordova. After a 3.5-3.5 deadlock by Heroes in a blitz game, the Laguna ruled the rapid event following wins by Sub-Import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko (Board 1), FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Board 4), Gomez (Board 5), Lorenzo (Board 7) and a draw by Barcenilla (Board 2) delivered the wins for the team to help propel the Heroes to a share of third with Caloocan Load Manna Knights with identical 17-4 win-loss records.
The Heroes will seek to maintain their hot streak and will try to clinch the no. 1 spot in the Northern Division when they face Iloilo KIsela Knights and Iriga City Oragons on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.
In other results, San Juan Predators defeated Negros Kingsmen, 18-3, and Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 17-4, Manila Indios Bravos toppled Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors, 12.5-8.5, but lost to Iloilo Kisela Knights, 7-14, Caloocan Load Manna Knights smashed Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 17-4, and Toledo City Trojans, 12-9, Zamboanga Sultans dealt Cavite Spartans, 13.5-7.5, and Cagayan Kings, 17.5-3.5, Antipolo Cobras dismantled Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 12-9, and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates,14-7, Camarines Soaring Eagle walloped Isabela Knight Raiders, 16-5, and Cavite Spartans, 14-7, Pasig City King Pirates subdued Iriga City Oragons, 13-8, and Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 13.5-7.5, Quezon City Simba’s Tribe trounced Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 11-10, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 11.5-9.5.