by Marlon Bernardino.
Laguna Heroes team defeated Antipolo Cobras in two sets, 16-5, 19-2, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to reach the semifinal round of the Northern Conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines online tournament at chess.com.
“Our quarter-final match against Antipolo Cobras was exciting and tension-filled since it’s already the knock out stage. Though we won in the first match, the Laguna Heroes did not become complacent. We still played carefully in the 2nd match. ” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that includes Engr. Benjamin Dy, Engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
The Laguna Heroes opened the night with a 16-5 win over Antipolo Cobras in the first set where they dominated the Rapid event, 10-4, after winning 6-1 in the Blitz event.
Led by two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (in photo), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Vince Angelo Medina scored two points each for Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali in their Rapid match against Antipolo.
Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales and Jude Ulanday carried the good fight for Antipolo after beating Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, respectively.
Scoring a point each for the Heroes in the Blitz game against Cobras were Barcenilla, Literatus, Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo. Enriquez and Bagamasbad settled for a draw.
In the second set, Laguna blasted Antipolo 7-0 in the blitz portion then followed with a 12-2 win in rapid game. Only Bernales survived in the rapid game after beating Enriquez.
Also booking semifinal berths were Manila Indios Bravos, San Juan Predators and Caloocan Loadmanna Knights.
Manila defeated Rizal Batch Towers in the first set ,12-9, and ,2-1, in Armageddon after 10.5 all in regulation in the second set.
San Juan, on the other hand, nipped Pasig King Pirates, 11.5-9.5, 13.5-7.5, in two sets.
Caloocan, meantime defeated Cavite Spartans in Armageddon, 2-1.
Cavite’s International Master Petronio Roca failed to convert a winning line against International Master Paulo Bersamina in their top board encounter and ended in a fighting draw that gave Caloocan the match win.
Cavite’s Jayson Visca bested FIDE Master Nelson Villanueva on board 2 while Caloocan’s International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia toppled Renie Malupa on board 3.
Earlier, Caloocan defeated Cavite in 1st set, 14.5-6.5, but Cavite bounced back beating Caloocan in 2nd set, 12.5-8.5, to force an Armageddon tie breaker, with the black pieces and need only a draw to secure a win.
“They’re a team (Cavite Spartans) that fights hard,” said Caloocan Team Owner Atty. Arnel Batungbakal. “They still came out and put up a fight. I respect them so much.”
“It went down the wire. Both teams deserved to win.” added Caloocan Team Owner Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
In the Southern Conference, Iloilo Kisela Knights spearheaded by 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. trounced Cordova Dagami Warriors in 2 sets, 14-7, 15.5-5.5, to join Toledo City Trojans, Team Camarines-Soaring Eagles and Negros Kingsmen in the semi-final round.
Chess Playoffs Semifinals on Saturday, March 27, 2021
Northern Division
Laguna Heroes vs. Manila Indios Bravos
San Juan Predators vs. Caloocan Loadmanna Knights
Southern Division
Iloilo Kisela Knights vs. Toledo City Trojans
Team Camarines – Soaring Eagles vs. Negros Kingsmen