by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—Defending Champion Laguna posted back-to-back victories over Rizal and Pasig in the ongoing 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup late Saturday, June 5, 2021 at chess.com.
The Heroes opened the day with an easy 18.5-2.5 win over the Rizal Batch Towers and followed it up with an 12.5-8.5 victory over the Kings Pirates to improve their 8-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division.
Vince Angelo Medina (in photo) was the top scorer for the Heroes with perfect six points — three against Marlon Constantino of Rizal and three against Francis Talaboc of Pasig.
“Vince Angelo Medina stood tall by winning both his matches against Marlon Constantino of Rizal and Francis Talaboc of Pasig.” 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.
Import Ukranian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko, Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo also contributed to Laguna’s impressive performance in the 24-team professional chess tournament organized by PCAP and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
The 18-years-old Shevchenko won by default against International Master Rolando Nolte of Rizal (3-0) and routed Kevin Arquero of Pasig (2.5-0.5). The two-time Asian Junior Champion Barcenilla, on the other hand split the point with Singaporean Grandmaster Kevin Goi Weiming of Pasig (1.5-1.5), Gomez beat National Master Robert Arellano of Rizal (2-1) then drew with GM Darwin Laylo of Pasig (1.5-1.5). Literatus defeated National Master Noel dela Cruz of Rizal (2-1). Bagamasbad blasted National Master Elias Lao Jr. of Rizal (3-0) but yielded to Arena Grandmaster Rudy Ibanez of Pasig (1-2), Enriquez trounced Kris Angelique Melicano of Rizal (3-0) but lost to Woman FIDE Master Sherily Cua of Pasig (1-2) and Lorenzo crushed Arena Grandmaster Herman Vallente of Rizal (2.5-0.5), bowed to Phillip Simon Din of Pasig in the blitz portion but bounced back by beating Carl Espallardo of Pasig in the rapid game.
Other members of the winning Laguna Heroes chess team backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Arena Grandmaster Fred Paez, Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
The Laguna Heroes (Northern Division results)
1-2 Manila (10.5-10.5 force Armageddon)
16.5-4.5 Cagayan
17-4 Isabela
16.5-4.5 Quezon City
7.5-13.5 San Juan
10-11 Antipolo
20.5-0.5 Olongapo
13.5-7.5 Caloocan
17-4 Cavite
18.5-2.5 Rizal
12.5-8.5 Pasig