by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Sub-Import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko and 2-time Asian Junior Champion Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. powered the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 12-9 victory over a GM Mark Paragua-led Camarines Soaring Eagle in the Inter-Division of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup online tournament Saturday night, June 19, 2021 at chess.com platform.
Shevchenko defeated Paragua in 34 moves of a Modern Benoni defense while Barcenilla toppled Ellan Asuela in 56 moves of a Four Knights Game in the Rapid game to help propel the Heroes to a share of third with Caloocan Load Manna Knights with identical 15-4 win-loss records.
San Juan Predators and Manila Indios Bravos both lead the way in the Northen Division with 17-2 win-loss-record.
Also delivering for Laguna were FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez. Bagamasbad trounced National Master Carlo Lorena in 45 moves of a Larsen Opening while Gomez waylaid Christian Mark Daluz in 55 moves of a Sicilian defense, Kan variation.
Sub-Import French Woman Grandmaster Marie Rachel Sebag, Virgen Gil Ruaya and National Master Ronald Llavanes carried the good fight for Engr. Jojo Buenaventura’s Camarines Soaring Eagle chess team.
Sebag beat Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Ruaya edged Vince Angelo Medina and Llavanes smashed Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Supported by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali and Laguna’s AGM Dr. Alfredo Paez, the squad won four out of the seven boards in the Blitz category (4-3) and they headed into the Rapid category with the 8-6 victory.
Camarines slipped to second in the Southern Conference with a 15-4 mark, two points behind the Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors (17-2).
“It was a tough match against GM Mark Paragua-led Camarines Soaring Eagle,” 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.
Earlier, the defending champion Laguna Heroes beat Zamboanga Sultans 17-4.
The Heroes will seek to maintain their hot streak and will try to clinch the no. 1 spot in the Northern Division by facing Cebu City Machers and Cordova this coming Wednesday, June 23, 2021.
Other members of the winning Laguna Heroes chess team backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali were FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
Top photo shows sub-import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko who brought down Filipino Grandmastep Mark Paragua in 34 moves of Modern Benoni defense and 2-time Asian Junior Champion Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (photo below) winner over Ellan Asuela in 56 moves of Four Knights Game in the Rapid Game.
