by Marlon Bernardino.
The Laguna Heroes survived an all-out assault from San Juan Predators with an 11-10 squeaker in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 on online tournament at the new platform chess.com.
The San Juan Predators held on to a very precarious lead after the blitz, 4-3, with victories from Grandmaster Oliver Barbosa, International Master Ricardo de Guzman and Narciso Gumila over Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamabasbad and Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat on Board 1, Board 4 and Board 7, respectively.
Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez and Vince Angelo Medina delivered the twin win for Team Laguna after beating Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda and National Master Michael Gotel on Board 3 and Board 5, respectively.
Other blitz matches were drawn games between Laguna’s Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus against FIDE Master Narquinden “Arden” Reyes on Board 2 and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo against Narguingel “Archie” Reyes on Board 6.
The rapids were also tighter, ending in 8-6 tie in favor of Team Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali, with Medina, Lorenzo and Bayangat winning their matches against San Juan’s Gotel, Reyes and Gumila.
In the end, its was GM Gomez (in photo) and FM Literatus’ heroics that saved the day for the Lagunenos with their crucial draw over GM Barbosa and FM Reyes.
WIM Fronda and IM De Guzman carried the fight for San Juan by edging WNM Enriquez and FM Bagamasbad, in order.
Laguna’s win allowed them to stay atop the Northen Conference standings despite having an identical 22-3 record along with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, who brought down Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 18-2 (one pending game), and Rizal Batch Towers, 13.5-7.5.
San Juan slipped to third in the north with a 21-4 slate.
Earlier, GM Gomez, FM Literatus and Lorenzo defeated International Master Rolando Nolte, National Master Noel dela Cruz and Marlon Constantino to spearheaded Team Laguna into 12.5-8.5 victory over Rizal Batch Towers.
“”It’s just that this team is versatile and so competitive,” said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that includes Engineer Benjamin Dy, Engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
“I think that’s the biggest thing you can take from this is how competitive we are. And we want to get better. And I think we are taking each game to do that.” added Dr. Fred Paez, who is also the National Chess Federation of the Philippines Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon.
The Laguna look to extend their winning streak Saturday night, March 6, 2021 when they meet Caloocan in a matchup of the Northern Conference’s top two teams.
Late night’s game Laguna will face Cavite Spartans (13-12), who lost to Manila Indios Bravos, 6-15, but bounced back by beating Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 12.5-8.5.
The 24-team pro chess tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
The games are sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.