by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Laguna Heroes scored twin victory in the 2nd season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All Filipino Conference online chess tournament held at Chess.com Platform Saturday night, February 26, 2022.
The defending champion toppled Cagayan De Oro-Misamis Oriental Chess Association , 12-9 before surpassing Camarines Soaring Eagle, 12-9.
The team backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali still ranks third of the Northern Division with 17 wins and four loses.
Against Camarines Soaring Eagle, the foursome of GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (Board 1), FM Austin Jacob Literatus (Board 2), IM Angelo Young (Board 4) and Richie Jocson (Board 6) orchestrated Laguna’s 5-2 win in the blitz contest.
Barcenilla, a two-time Asian Junior Champion, defeated IM Idelfonso Datu in 53 moves of King’s Indian Defense, Literatus trounced Walt Allen Talan in 37 moves of Benko Gambit Opening, Young dismantled NM Carlo Lorena in 34 moves of Double Finachetto Opening while Jocson subdued Coelleir Graspela in 53 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening.
Board 3 Michella Concio drew with Virgenie Ruaya while Board 5 Vince Angelo Medina split the point with National Master Ronald Llavanes.
Board 7 Virgen Gil Ruaya provided the full point for Camarines after beating Apollo Agapay.
The rapid game between Laguna and Camarines ended in a 7-all deadlock.
“We got a hard-earned victory against Cagayan de Oro and Camarines. It was another lucky win. I am happy that GM Banjo Barcenilla, FM AJ Literatus, IM Angelo Young and Richie Jocson delivered the needed points, ” said Arena GM 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.
“I’m happy and honored to play for the Laguna heroes. Its always a great feeling winning my games ,but what is greater is the team winning the match,” added Young, an 8-time Illinois USA Champion.
Still leader in the Northern Division is the Pasig City Kings Pirates (20-1) as well Iloilo Kisela Knights (19-2) lording the Southern Division.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay chess league, is headed by Atty. Paul Elauria as President-Commissioner; Michael Angelo Ong Chua as Chairman; Dr. Ariel Potot as Vice Chairman and Atty. Arnel Batungbakal as Treasurer.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.