Laguna Heroes bounce back, whips Mindoro Tamaraws
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Feb 2022
MANILA---Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr.’s skillful maneuvers powered the Laguna Heroes to a 18-3 whipping of Mindoro Tamaraws in the the 2nd season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All Filipino Conference online chess tournament virtually held at Chess.com Platform, Wednesday night, February 2, 2022.
The former two-time Asian Junior champion Barcenilla, bounced back from his 2 draws to Grandmaster Mark Paragua of Pasig City King Pirates, by checkmating Arena Grandmaster Emmanuel Asi after 36 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening in the blitz portion followed by 42-move victory of English Opening in the rapid play.
This helped the Laguna Heroes of team owner-playing coach Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez recover from their 10-11 setback to Pasig City King Pirates. The Heroes climbed to third spot with a 5-1 win-loss record in the Northern Division standings behind tournament co-leaders Pasig City King Pirates and San Juan Predators who tote similar 6-0 outputs.
"Our loss to Pasig was a bit disheartening since we won in blitz and we were ahead in the rapid, 10-7, with 2 games remaining. I told the players not to get affected by the result and focus on the 2nd match instead. The Laguna Heroes responded well by winning both in blitz and rapid against Mindoro," said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that include Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.
Also delivering crucial wins for the Heroes backed up by KALARO, Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Kimuel Lorenzo and Richie Jocson.
Literatus bested Arena Grandmaster Nezil Merilles, Enriquez crushed Arena Fide Master Cylliz Kaessa Merilles, Bagamasbad subdued Cesar Cunanan, Lorenzo beat Arena Grandmaster Joselito Asi and Jocson nipped Ronald Berdera.
United States Master Rainier Labay averted a shutout for the Mindoro Tamaraws in the rapid play when he drew with Vince Angelo Medina.
The Laguna Heroes trounced Mindoro Tamaraws in blitz portion, 5-2, as well as in the rapid format, 13-1.
The Laguna Heroes look forward to another great performance Saturday night (February 5, 2022) when they face Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and Cavite Spartans.
Meanwhile, Davao and Iloilo chessers take charge in the Southern Division with a 5-1 win-loss record.
PCAP, the country’s first and only play-for-pay chess league, is headed by Atty. Paul Elauria as President-Commissioner; Michael Angelo Ong Chua as Chairman; Dr. Ariel Potot as Vice Chairman and Atty. Arnel Batungbakal as Treasurer.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Marcial to focus on pros
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 23 Jul 2025Antonio Vargas Travels Overseas to Defend WBA Bantamweight World Title Against Daigo Higa in Japan
Wed, 23 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Great Boxing Weekend All Over the World
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 22 Jul 2025WBC 63rd Annual Convention and Muay Thai Convention in Bangkok, Thailand Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 22 Jul 2025OLD HABITS NEVER DIE
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Tue, 22 Jul 2025Pacquiao Sends US Boxing Scene Buzzing Again
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Jul 2025Hurting inside
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 22 Jul 2025Shocking Incident at MaxFight 62: Fighter Bites Opponent’s Ear in Live MMA Broadcast, Prompting National Outrage and Scrutiny of Bulgarian MMA Federation
Tue, 22 Jul 2025Immanuwel Aleem Takes on Demond NIcholson in DMV Turf War on Saturday. July 26th at The Hall in Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland
Mon, 21 Jul 2025Barrios lucky to keep title
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Allan Cantonjos rules Dipolog FIDE Standard chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 21 Jul 2025PHI GenTri Chess Players to Wave Philippine Flag in Hong Kong
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Filipino Pride and the Art of Hero Worship
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 21 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao vs. Logic
By Mark F. Villanueva, Sun, 20 Jul 2025McTavish a proud Filipino
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 20 Jul 2025