MANILA – Defending Champion Laguna Heroes opened the 2nd season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All Filipino Conference online chess tournament with a dominating victory against the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 18-3, as well as another amazing performance against the Manila Indios Bravos, 12,-9, on Saturday, Mar. 5.
“We are hoping to perform better in the 2nd part of the same-division round. Our twin wins tonight against Olongapo and Manila are great motivations for our upcoming matches!” Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez said.
The Heroes showed no mercy against Olongapo, immediately grabbing the 5-2 lead in the blitz category.
Olongapo’s struggles continued in the last seven playing boards in the rapid encounter as Laguna played with the same intensity as they did in the blitz category, notching six wins on their way to a convincing opening win.
Laguna had a convincing start against Manila as they immediately led 5-2 in the Blitz category on wins by two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, eight-time Illinois USA Champion International Master Angelo Young and Apollo Agapay.
Barcenilla defeated Jerry Areque, Literatus crushed National Master Rolando Andador, Enriquez nipped Woman National Master Mira Mirano, Young subdued Dr. Jenny Mayor and Agapay trounced Jhulo Goloran.
International Master Ronald Dableo and International Master Chito Garma provided the twin wins of Manila after beating Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Vince Angelo Medina, respectively.
The game between Laguna and Manila ended in a 7-all deadlock in the rapid play.
The Pasig City King Pirates remain on top of the northern division standings with a 24-1 (win-loss) slate followed by San Juan Predators (21-4) at second and the Laguna Heroes (20-5) at third.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Kisela Knights (23-2) leads the southern division standings while Davao Chess Eagles are at second (20-5) and Zamboanga Sultans (18-7) at third.
The Laguna Heroes will face Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 and Manila Indios Bravos on Wednesday. (PR) – bny
