by Marlon Bernardino
FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Vince Angelo Medina came through with stirring victories as the Laguna Heroes team crushed Camarines Soaring Eagle, 12.5-8.5, in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Saturday, February 27, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
NM Bagamasbad displayed a persistent attack to beat National Master Carlo Lorena in 72 moves of Dutch defense on Board 4, GM Gomez trounced Mark Daluz in 34 moves of a French defense on Board 5 while Medina nipped Virgen Gil Ruaya in 57 moves of Trompovsky Opening on Board 6 ensured the win for the Heroes in the rapid format, 9-5.
Two-time Asian Junior champion GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla (in photo), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo took care of the other boards.
The Arizona, US based Barcenilla halved the point with New York, US based GM Mark Paragua in 29 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening on Board 1, Literarus settled for a truce with Ellan Asuela in 40 moves of Reti Opening on Board 2 while Lorenzo split the point with NM Ronald Llavanes in 44 moves of King’s Pawn Opening on Board 7.
Virgenie Ruaya won by default against WNM Jean Karen Enriquez on Board 3 for Bicol’s full point in the rapid competition.
The blitz are even tighter, ending in 3.5-3.5 tie, in favor of Laguna.
GM Gomez and Medina kept the game close with victories over Daluz and Virgen Gil Ruaya while GM Barcenilla, FM Literatus and Lorenzo drew with GM Paragua, Asuela and NM Llavanes, in order.
Virgenie Ruaya won by default against WNM Enriquez while NM Lorena toppled FM Bagamasbad for the twin wins of Bicolanos in the blitz portion.
“I really appreciate the determination of the Laguna Heroes Team. Since WNM Jean Karen Enriquez failed to play due to asthma against Camarines, it propelled the the team to play harder.” 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.
In their first match of the day, the Laguna Heroes backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice and Jolly Smile Dental Clinic face the Zamboanga Sultans.
With both teams tied at 10.5 points apiece after the results of blitz and rapid play and force an armageddon play off.
With one tie breaker scheduled game against Zamboanga and a win against Camarines, Laguna sharing the top 2 and 3 spots of the Northern Division standings with an 19-3 win-loss record alongside Caloocan Loadmanna Knights with also one pending game.
Camarines, on the other hand leads 19-4 in the Southern Division, the same output of Iloilo Kisela Knights.
San Juan Predators and Negros Kingsmen tallied similar 20-3 win-loss record and lead the way in the Northern and Southern division, respectively.
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.-Marlon Bernardino-
(Team Standings/ Note: * with pending games)
Northern Division
San Juan 20-3
Laguna * * 19-3
Caloocan * 19-3
Manila 16-7
Rizal * * 15-7
Cavite 12-11
Pasig 11-12
Antipolo 10-13
Isabela 8-15
Olongapo 7-16
Quezon *4-18
Cagayan 4-19
Southern Division
Negros 20-3
Camarines 19-4
Iloilo 19-4
Toledo * 13-9
Zamboanga * * 13-9
Lapu-Lapu 11-12
Mindoro 10-13
Cordova 7-16
Surigao * * 5-17
Cebu 5-18
Iriga * 3-19
Palawan 2-21