MANILA, Philippines — Grandmasters Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and John Paul Gomez powered the defending champion Laguna Heroes to a 16.5-4.5 victory over a FM Arlan Cabe-led Quezon City Simba’s Tribe in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup Saturday night, May 22, 2021 at online platform chess.com.
Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, defeated fellow Philippine Junior Champion Cabe in their rapid and blitz showdown as well Gomez swept Noel Jay Estacio to help propel the Heroes to a share of fifth with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights with identical 3-2 win-loss records.
Laguna could jump to the top alongside San Juan Predators, which owns a league-best 5-0 card, in the Northern Conference if it beats San Juan (7.5-13.5) and will create a possible five-way tie for first that includes Antipolo Cobras, Manila Indios Bravos and Cagayan Kings who holds 4-1 marker.
“GM Banjo Barcenilla and GM John Paul Gomez played very well and won the match,” said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owner 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 Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo. Literatus defeated Joseph Navarro, Enriquez toppled Michaela Concio, Bagamasbad beat Danilo Ponay and Lorenzo edged Vicente Demain.
Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr., meantime saved the day Quezon City for a possible shut-out loss in the rapid competition after beating Vince Angelo Medina.
In the blitz portion, Ponay and Demain provided the twin wins for Quezon City after beating Bagamasbad and Lorenzo, respectively. Suelo, on the other hand split the point with Medina.
The Laguna Heroes bested Quezon City in blitz portion, 4.5-2.5, as well as in the rapid format, 12-2.
Meanwhile, Camarines Soaring Eagle and Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warrios showing the way in the Southern Division with 5-0 clean slate.-Marlon Bernardino-
