Laguna Heroes advance to Northern Conference Semifinals after eliminating Antipolo Cobras
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Mar 2021
Chess Playoffs Semifinals on Saturday, March 27, 2021
Northern Division
Laguna Heroes vs. Manila Indios Bravos
San Juan Predators vs. Caloocan Loadmanna Knights
Southern Division
Iloilo Kisela Knights vs. Toledo City Trojans
Team Camarines - Soaring Eagles vs. Negros Kingsmen
MANILA — Laguna Heroes defeated Antipolo Cobras in 2 sets, 16-5, 19-2, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to reach the semifinal round of the Northern Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines on online tournament at chess.com.
"Our quarter-final match against Antipolo Cobras was exciting and tension-filled since it's already the knockout stage. Though we won in the first match, the Laguna Heroes did not become complacent. We still played carefully in the 2nd match," said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo "Fred" Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that includes Engr. Benjamin Dy, Engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
The Laguna Heroes opened the night with a 16-5 win over Antipolo Cobras in 1st set where they dominated the Rapid event, 10-4, after winning, 6-1, in Blitz event.
Led by two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr., Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Vince Angelo Medina who scored two points each for Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali in their Rapid match against Antipolo.
Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales and Jude Ulanday carried the good fight for Antipolo after beating Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, respectively.
Scoring a point each for the Heroes in the Blitz game against Cobras were Barcenilla, Literatus, Gomez, Medina and Lorenzo. Enriquez and Bagamasbad settled for a draw.
In 2nd set, Laguna blasted Antipolo, 7-0, in blitz portion then followed a 12-2 win in rapid game. Only Bernales survived in the rapid game after beating Enriquez.
Also booking semifinal berths were Manila Indios Bravos, San Juan Predators and Caloocan Loadmanna Knights.
Manila defeated Rizal Batch Towers in 1st set ,12-9, and ,2-1, in Armageddon after 10.5 all in regulation in 2nd set.
San Juan, on the other hand, nipped Pasig King Pirates, 11.5-9.5, 13.5-7.5, in 2 sets.
Caloocan, meantime defeated Cavite Spartans in Armageddon, 2-1.
Cavite's International Master Petronio Roca failed to convert a winning line against International Master Paulo Bersamina in their top board encounter and ended into a fighting draw that resulted for Caloocan to win the match.
Cavite's Jayson Visca bested Fide Master Nelson Villanueva on board 2 while Caloocan's International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia toppled Renie Malupa on board 3.
Earlier, Caloocan defeated Cavite in 1st set, 14.5-6.5, but Cavite bounces back beating Caloocan in 2nd set, 12.5-8.5, to force an Armageddon tie breaker, with black pieces need only a draw to secure a win.
"They're a team (Cavite Spartans) that fights hard," said Caloocan Team Owner Atty. Arnel Batungbakal. "They still came out and put up a fight. I respect them so much."
"It went down the wire. Both teams deserved to win." added Caloocan Team Owner Atty. Arnel Batungbakal.
In the Southern Conference, Iloilo Kisela Knights spearheaded by 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. trounced Cordova Dagami Warriors in 2 sets, 14-7, 15.5-5.5, to join Toledo City Trojans, Team Camarines-Soaring Eagles and Negros Kingsmen in the semi-final round.-Marlon Bernardino-
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