by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Defending Champion Laguna Heroes scored back-to-back victories in the 2nd season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All Filipino Conference online chess tournament at Chess.com Platform on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
It kicked off the double header with a 12-9 victory over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates before following it up with a 13-8 triumph over Tacloban Vikings to climb to 2nd spot in the Northern Division with a 14-3 slate, the same output of San Juan Predators.
“We got hard-earned victories tonight against the vastly-improved Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and Tacloban Vikings. It’s really not easy to win games this 2nd season. We really have to practice hard if we want to win,” 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.
Against Tacloban, Laguna, backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali, barely escaped in the blitz game, 4-3, behind wins by FM Austin Jacob Literatus (board 2), Michella Concio (Board 3), FMJose Efren Bagamasbad (Board 4) and Richie Jocson (Board 6).
Literatus defeated Bryle Arellano, Concio beat Athaliah Calades, Bagamasbad nipped Eladio Lim III and Jocson crushed Norman Jasper Montejo.
Laguna also showed its dominance over Tacloban in rapid event,11-3, with two-pointers each from GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. (Board 1), Concio, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Board 5), Jocson and Apollo Agapay (Board 7).
The many-time national champion and Olympiad veteran Barcenilla dealt Jimmy Ty Jr., Concio subdued Catherine Pojas, Lorenzo outclassed Andrew Casiano, Jocson trounced Montejo and Agapay smashed Remegio Galenzoga.
Literatus drew with Arellano while Tacloban Board 4 Player Dr. Leo Lofranco upset Bagamasbad.
On February 23, Laguna will collide with Toledo City Trojans and Zamboanga Sultans.
Meanwhile, Pasig City King Pirates walloped Cagayan De Oro-Misamis Oriental Chess Association, 15-6, and Camarines Soaring Eagle, 16-5, to remain on top in the Northern Division with a 16-1 win-loss record.
Iloilo Kisela Knights, on the other hand, lording the Southern Division with a 16-1 slate after beating Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, 12-9, and San Juan Predators, 11.5-9.5.