by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—-Grandmasters Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (above left) and John Paul Gomez (above right) powered the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 16.5-4.5 victory over FM Arlan Cabe-led Quezon City Simba’s Tribe in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Grandmaster Wesley So Cup online tournament at chess.com Saturday, May 22, 2021.
Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, defeated fellow Philippine Junior Champion Cabe in their rapid and blitz showdown. Following suit, Gomez swept Noel Jay Estacio to help propel the Heroes to a share of fifth with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights with identical 3-2 win-loss records.
Laguna could jump to the top alongside San Juan Predators, which owns a league-best 5-0 card, in the Northern Conference if it could beat San Juan (7.5-13.5) and will create a possible five-way tie for first that includes Antipolo Cobras, Manila Indios Bravos and Cagayan Kings who hold 4-1 marker.
“GM Banjo Barcenilla and GM John Paul Gomez played very well and won the match .” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes including David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
Also delivering for Laguna 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, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Literatus defeated Joseph Navarro, Enriquez toppled Michaela Concio, Bagamasbad beat Danilo Ponay and Lorenzo edged Vicente Demain.
FIDE Master Robert Suelo Jr., meantime saved the day for Quezon City by beating Vince Angelo Medina for a possible shut-out loss in the rapid competition.
In the blitz portion, Ponay and Demain provided the twin wins for Quezon City after beating Bagamasbad and Lorenzo, respectively. Suelo, on the other hand split the point with Medina.
The Laguna Heroes bested Quezon City in blitz portion, 4.5-2.5, as well as in the rapid format, 12-2
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Meanwhile, Camarines Soaring Eagle and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warrios are showing the way in the Southern Division with 5-0 clean slate