Laguna beats Manila to arrange PCAP Northern Conference Finals showdown with San Juan
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Mar 2021
The Laguna Heroes had to go through the eye of the needle to arrange a PCAP Northern Conference Finals showdown with San Juan Predators, who brought down Caloocan Loadmanna Knights.
They defeated the Manila Indios Bravos, 3-0, in Armageddon play last Saturday evening on a virtual chess match via lichess.org.
The Heroes’ Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. (white) toppled Indios Bravos’ Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra (black) after 30 moves of English Opening while Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus (black) split the point with Fide Master Deniel Causo (white) after 66 moves of Alekhine Defense, and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (white) bested International Master Cris Ramayrat (black) after 73 moves of Old Indian defense, respectively.
Black wins in case of a draw during Armageddon play according to Arena Grandmaster Alfredo "Fred" Paez.
"It was tough playing against the strong Manila Indios Bravos in the semifinals. When we lost in the first match, we did not lose hope. We regrouped for the 2nd match and the team responded positively. I commend the determination of GM Barcenilla, FM Literaturs and GM Gomez for scoring great victories in the armageddon 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.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes survived the Armageddon duel against the Manila Indios Bravos after splitting the first two sets 12-9 and 8-13.
It shall be recalled that Laguna beat Manila, 11.5-9.5, last February 3, 2021 and 17-4, last March 17, 2021 during the grueling 34 rounds elimination round.
Other member of the winning Laguna Heroes squad were Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Vince Angelo Medina, Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo and Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Kisela Knights and Camarines Soaring Eagle will vie for the Southern Conference Finals after they hurdled Toledo City Trojans and Negros Kingsmen in convincing fashion.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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