Bernardino powers Quezon City over Laguna in PCAP chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Oct 2023
MANILA---National Master and United States chess master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. defeated Apollo Agapay in their rapid duel to power Quezon City Simba's Tribe to a 11-10 decision over Laguna PECA in the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Super Grandmaster Wesley So Cup held thru Chess.com Platform on Wednesday, October 11.
Bernardino, a certified sportswriter, chess columnist and chess coach, edged Agapay in 37 moves of London System Opening using the black pieces to lift the Simba's Tribe to their fourth win against four losses in the Northern Division.
"Suwerte lang laro ko po kay Mr. Apollo Agapay kasi pareho na kami panic time. Kg1 lang po at draw na ang laban kaso nag Kh2 kaya naka Qf2 check ako then Kh1 sya at na mate sa Ng3 check." said Bernardino, a part of coaching staff for the Philippine team bound for Montesilvano, Italy for the World Youth Chess Championships on November 12-24, 2023.
"Kung draw laban ko po kay Mr. Apollo Agapay ay panalo ang Laguna (11-10) sa match," added Bernardino, who is fresh from a back-to-back champion in the Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines-IIEE blitz chess tournament in Quezon City last week.
Bernardino also got help from Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, former National Inter Bank Champion and Playing Team Owner Danilo Ponay and National Master Robert Suelo Jr.
Laylo, a many-time Olympiad veteran, bested Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Ponay won by forfeiture against 8-time Illinois, USA chess champion International Master Angelo Abundo Young and Suelo toppled National Master Nicomedes Alisangco.
Earlier, Quezon City had to dig deep after Laguna posted some early board scares when they grabbed 4-3 wins in the blitz portion.
Despite one pawn down in the opening, Bernardino struck the hardest in edging the rapid phase, 11-10, and claiming the win.
Fighting for Laguna were Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla, Michella Oboza Concio and Richie Jocson who won their respective matches against Playing Co-Team Manager Samivin delos Santos (via default), Manilyn Cabungcag and Joseph Navarro, respectively.
The win helped Quezon City improve their win-loss record to 4-4 in the Northern Division.
The Quezon City Simba's Tribe collected another huge victory and extended its winning streak to three after beating Rizal Batch Towers, 11-10, and Isabela Knights of Alexander loss, 11-10, last week.
Quezon City also toppled Manila Indios Bravos, 13-8.
Quezon City lost at the hands of Cavite Spartans, 10-11, Cagayan Kings, 7-14, Pasig King Pirates, 3.5-17.5, and San Juan Predators, 5-16.
Other members of Quezon City Simba's Tribe are Co-Team Manager Dennis Alain Lladoc, Freddie and Francis Talaboc, Playing Team Captain Michaela Concio, NM Robert Arellano, Justin Corpin and Kristian Paulo Cristobal.
PCAP, the country’s first play-for-pay league, is headed by PCAP President Atty. Paul Elauria, chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua, PCAP treasurer Atty. Arnel Batungbakal and Technical Committee chairman Engr. Jojo Buenaventura and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land, Buenaviel and PC Worx and sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.-Marlon Bernardino-
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