MANILA – Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. defeated National Master Levi Mercado in their rapid duel to power Laguna to an 18-3 thrashing of Olongapo in the third conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday, Nov. 10, virtually held at the Chess.com Platform.
Barcenilla, who has topped the last two Battle of the Grandmasters, overpowered Mercado in 27 moves of an English Opening to lift the Heroes to their 17-4 win-loss record in the Northern division.
“Though the Laguna Heroes scored 18-3 against Olongapo, it was a tough match. The crucial wins of GM Barcenilla, Concio and FM Bagamasbad in the rapid match sparked the team to play harder,” Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez said.
A many-time Olympiad veteran, Barcenilla also got help from Michella Concio, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Concio toppled Angel Orijuela, Bagamasbad defeated Andrianov Valenzuela, Medina beat Conrad Corre and Lorenzo toppled Glenn Hullana Garcia.
Joshua Bautista and National Master Gefer Imbuido carried the good fight for Olongapo woodpushers.
Bautista upset Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus after 61 moves of Sicilian defense while Imbuido split the point with Grandmaster John Paul Gomez after 68 moves of Modern defense.
The Laguna Heroes easily defeated the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, 7-0, blitz game behind wins by Barcenilla, Literatus, WNM Jean Karen Enriquez, Bagamasbad, Gomez, Medina, and Lorenzo.
Laguna also blasted Pengcheng (China), 21-0.
Up next for the Laguna Heroes are the Double Bishops Bangkok (Thailand) and Camarines Soaring Eagle on Saturday (Nov. 13, 2021). (PR) – bny
