The Laguna Heroes are hoping to climb back up the chess ranks again following the acquisition of former Olympian International Master Petronio “Rony” Roca.
“It’s an honor to play the Laguna Heroes,” Roca, a former senior player for the Cavite Spartans, said.
Dr.Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes, believes that the Heroes will get a big boost with the entry of Roca. He stressed that they also want to become champions again.
The Laguna Heroes made history when they became the first-ever champions of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).
They clinched the All-Filipino Conference title after beating Camarines in the grand finals last April.
However, the Iloilo Kisela Knights won the 2nd PCAP (dubbed as GM Wesley So Cup) last August while the San Juan Predators took the 3rd PCAP last month.
Other members of Laguna Heroes are Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Michella Concio, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, Vince Angelo Medina, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, and Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat.