by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—GM Rogelio ” Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (in photo) powered the Laguna Heroes to a 11.5-9.5 victory over a NM Jerry Areque-led Manila Indios Bravos in the 2nd season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines online chess tournament held on Chess.com January 26th.
Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, defeated Areque in 55 moves of an English Opening in the blitz portion then split the point with National Master Rolando Andador in 70 moves of a Caro-Kann defense in the rapid encounter in board 1. Lorenzo swept Jhulo Goloran in their blitz (45 moves of Four Knights Games) and rapid (56 moves of French defense) showdown in board 6 to help propel the Heroes to a share of first with Pasig and San Juan with identical 2-0 win-loss records in the Northern Conference.
“Manila is a strong team. We were just lucky for beating them tonight. It was indeed a tight match.” 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.
Also delivering for the Laguna backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Michella Concio, FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Richie Jocson in boards 3, 4 and 7.
Concio drew with Woman National Master Mira Mirano, Bagamasbad won by forfeiture against Dr. Jenny Mayor and Jocson toppled Candidate Master Genghis Imperial.
Andador and International Master Chito Garma carried the good fight for Manila woodpushers.
Andador trounced FM Austin Jacob Literatus in board 2 while Garma subdued Vince Angelo Medina in board 5.
According to AGM Paez, Laguna beat Manila, 4.5-2.5, in blitz format and 7-all deadlock in the rapid play.
Manila slipped to fourth with a 1-1 mark together with Quezon City, Isabela, Caloocan, Cagayan and Cavite.
Meanwhile, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Negros are leading the way in the Southern Conference with a 2-0 win-loss records