by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—The Laguna Heroes started their assault in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) against Double Bishops Bangkok , 15.5-5.5, and Camarines Soaring Eagle, 17.5-3.5, on Saturday, November 13, 2021 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.
“Winning by a wide margin against Bangkok and Camarines is a good motivation for Laguna Heroes. Hoping to continue our fine games in the quarterfinals.” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owners of the Laguna Heroes that include Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
Laguna scored a 5.5-1.5 win over Bangkok in blitz on victories by Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr.(Board 1), FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus (Board 2), Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez (Board 3), FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Board 4), Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (Board 5) and a draw by Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat (Board 7).
They also dominated Bangkok in rapid event, 10-4, with Barcenilla, Literatus, Michella Concio (Board 3), Vince Angelo Medina (Board 6) and Bayangat winning two points each.
In the second match, Laguna did not waste time and easily handled Camarines, 5.5-1.5, in blitz event behind wins by Literatus, Enriquez, Gomez, Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Board 7) and a draw by Barcenilla.
The Heroes toppled Soaring Eagle in the rapid event, 12-2, thanks to Literatus, Concio, Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo’s two points each and draws by Barcenilla and Bagamasbad. They finished third in the elimination round with a 19-4 win loss card.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes will take on the Northern Division’s six placer, the Davao Chess Wizzards, in the quarterfinals of the third conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), which will begin Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Games on Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Knock-out stage/Quarterfinals
(Northern Division)
Pasig vs Rizal
Caloocan vs Manila
Laguna vs Davao
San Juan vs Isabela
(Southern Division)
Paralympics vs Camarines
Negros vs Penang
Singapore vs Lapu-Lapu
Iloilo vs Toledo