MANILA—The Laguna Heroes beat Isabela and Cavite to maintain their place as Northern division’s best team in the ongoing 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) conference Oct. 8 at Chess.com Platform.
With the twin wins, the Laguna Heroes notched their fourth-consecutive win in the tournament and improved their win-loss record.
“Cavite (photo above) and Isabela (photo below) are great teams. We would like to congratulate Laguna for scoring twin victories tonight. The decision of GM John Paul Gomez to play in the 3rd Conference is a big help to bring up the morale and confidence of Laguna Heroes.” said Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice Foods, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes together with David Nithyananthan of KALARO and Greatech Philippines, Inc, Engr. Billy Joe Ereňo of Costbusters Philippines Corp. and Dr. Fred Paez of Jolly Smile Dental Clinic.
Laguna was fresh off a stellar match day against Manila and Cagayan and continued their surge after asserting their mastery over Isabela,16.5-4.5, and Cavite, 12-9.
The Heroes held Isabela to two points after the blitz category,4.5-2.5 , and struck the final blow in the last seven playing boards after winning six of them, 12-2.
Laguna’s performance against Isabela became one of their best offensive outputs and brought their momentum against Cavite in the very next game.
Richie Jocson scored another 6/6, while GM John Paul Gomez, IM Angelo Abundo Young and FM Abelgas scored 5/6.
Jocson blasted Arena GM Melchor Fronda III and Lordwin Espiritu of Isabela and Lourecel Hernandez Ecot of Cavite.
Gomez, meantime subdued Nick Marinduque of Isabela then edged IM Joel Banawa of Cavite, 2-1.
Young, on the other hand, defeated NM Gerardo “Gerry” Cabellon of Isabela, 2-1, then blanked IM Petronio Roca of Cavite.
Abelgas, for his part, dismantled Manolito Manaois and Alvin Aguinaldo of Isabela and FM Julius Joseph de Ramos of Cavite, 2-1.-