Laguna Heroes sweep Manila and Isabela in PCAP online tournament
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 05 Jun 2022
MANILA---The Laguna Heroes had another dominant game day during the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament after sweeping both of their matches in their Northern division back-to-back clashes virtually held at Chess.com Platform on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
Fresh off two stellar wins against the San Juan Predators and the Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, the Heroes continued their momentum against the Manila Indios Bravos, 12-9, and the Isabela Knight of Alexander, 15-6.
"Almost every team has tremendously improved for this season. Laguna Heroes expect to have a lot of tough matches. We are happy that we won against Manila and Isabela," said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez of Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that include Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO and Greatech Philippines, Inc., Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice Foods and Engr. Antonio Balinas of AC Balinas Construction and Steel Works.
Laguna had a convincing start against Manila as they immediately led 6-1 in the Blitz category on wins by Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, eight-time Illinois USA Champion International Master Angelo Abundo Young, Arena Grandmaster Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, Richie Jocson and Christian Nanola.
Literarus defeated National Master Rolando Andador in Board 2, Enriquez toppled Woman National Master Mira Mirano in Board 3, Young beat Dr. Jenny Mayor in Board 4, Lorenzo waylaid Candidate Master Genghis Katipunan Imperial in Board 5, Jocson trounced Atty. Joey Elauria in Board 6 and Nanola subdued Candidate Master Jhulo Goloran in Board 7.
International Master Joseph Taher edged two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. to prevent a possible shut out loss of Manila in the blitz category.
Manila bounced back in the rapid event on wins by Taher, Imperial and Goloran and draws by Andador and Mirano but wasnt enough despite nailing 8-6 win.
In the following round, it was a slow start for Laguna against Isabela after ending the first seven playing boards with a two-point lead, 5-2, in the blitz game on wins by Barcenilla, Literatus, Enriquez, Lorenzo and Nanola against Marvin Phua, Sevillano Obana, Melizah Ruth Carreon, Arena Grandmaster Melchor Foronda III and Anwar Cabugatan, respectively.
Laguna’s chess display continued until their last game against Isabela in their rapid encounter and finally regained their usual five-board dominance.
Notable performances came from Barcenilla, Literatus, Lorenzo, Jocson and Nanola who put the exclamation point for their four-straight win of the prestigious tournament.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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