by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Bacenilla Jr. proved unstoppable at the top board as he led the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 16.5-4.5 victory over Cagayan Kings in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) second conference dubbed Grandmaster Wesley So Cup Wednesday, May 19, 2021 on online tournament at chess.com.
Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Junior champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, gained the upper hand with a beautiful Rook to h7 check sacrifice in the 39th move that forced Uzbekistani chess Grandmaster Alexei Barsov to resign after 42 moves of a French defense in their rapid play encounter. Barcenilla also toppled Barsov after 61 moves of a King’s Indian defense in the blitz portion.
This helped the Laguna Heroes of team owner-playing coach Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez recover from their 1-2 Armageddon tie breaker setback to Manila Indios Bravos last Saturday, May 15.
“GM Banjo’s play was always razor-sharp, rational and brilliant.” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes including Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
The Heroes, earlier beat Isabela Knight Raiders, 17-4. The Heroes now have 2-1 win-loss record in the Northern Division standings.
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 Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Bagamasbad dismantled Lamber Arugay after 45 moves of a Sicilian defense, Gomez smashed Jake Tumaliuan after 34 moves of a Ruy Lopez Opening, Medina routed Robert Mania after 42 moves of a Dutch defense and Lorenzo dealt Joan Furigay after 36 moves of a Modern defense.
Don Tyrone Delos Santos and April Joy Ramos provided the twin wins for Cagayan after beating FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus and Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, respectively.
The Laguna Heroes bested Cagayan Kings in the blitz portion, 6.5-0.5, as well as in the rapid format, 10-4.
Meanwhile, Cavite Spartans suffered back-to-back losses to Manila Indios Bravos, 10-11, and Isabela Knight Raiders, 1-2, in Armageddon tie breaker. Cavite is the tormentor of Pasig Kings Pirates, 11-10, in the opening round. However, Manila Indios Bravos, yielded to Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 6.5-14.5.