by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. defeated National Master Levi Mercado in their rapid duel to power Laguna to an 18-3 thrashing of Olongapo in the third conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday, November 10, 2021 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.
Barcenilla, who has topped the last two Battle of the Grandmasters, overpowered Mercado in 27 moves of an English Opening to lift the Heroes to their 17-4 win-loss record in the Northern division.
“Though the Laguna Heroes scored 18-3 against Olongapo, it was a tough match. The crucial wins of GM Barcenilla, Concio and FM Bagamasbad in the rapid match sparked the team to play harder,” 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.
A many-time Olympiad veteran, Barcenilla also got help from Michella Concio, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Concio toppled Angel Orijuela, Bagamasbad defeated Andrianov Valenzuela, Medina beat Conrad Corre and Lorenzo toppled Glenn Hullana Garcia.
Joshua Bautista and National Master Gefer Imbuido carried the good fight for Olongapo woodpsuhers.
Bautista upset FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus after 61 moves of a Sicilian defense while Imbuido split the point with Grandmaster John Paul Gomez after 68 moves of a Modern defense.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes easily defeated the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 7-0, blitz game behind wins by Barcenilla, Literatus, WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, Bagamasbad, Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo.
Laguna also blasted Pengcheng (China), 21-0. Up next for the Laguna Heroes are the Double Bishops Bangkok (Thailand) and Camarines Soaring Eagle on Saturday (November 13, 2021)