by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—The Laguna Heroes recovered from a setback to the Manila Indios Bravos by blasting the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 17-4, in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament via chess.com Saturday, September 18, 2021.
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez bested National Master Levi Mercado to power the Heroes to a 2-1 win-loss record in the Northern Division.
Gomez, a many-time Philippine olympiad team member, downed Mercado in 30 moves of Bogo Indian Defense in their rapid play.
Also delivering wins for the Heroes were Michella Concio, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Vince Angelo Medina, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Arije Bayangat.
“We are just trying to get better every game. We are just trying to get in better shape,” said Arena Grandmaster 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.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes also beat Pasig City King Pirates, 11.5-9.5.
Up next for the Heroes are the Rizal Batch Towers and the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights on Wednesday