MANILA---Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. destroyed World IPCA Champion Fide Master Sander Severino in their rapid duel to power Laguna Heroes to a 12-9 thrashing of Paralympic in the third conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday, October 20,2021 virtually held at Chess.com Platform.
Barcenilla, a two-time Asian Junior Champion overpowered Severino in 22 moves of Double Fianchetto Opening to lift the Heroes to their ninth straight win.
"It was tough playing against SinQGApore and Paralympic Teams. Both teams had solid line ups. I really admire our players for not giving up." 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.
A many-time Olympiad veteran, Barcenilla also got help from Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
Medina defeated National Master Henry Roger Lopez in 62 moves of Dutch defense while Lorenzo toppled National Master Jasper Rom in 67 moves of French defense.
Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus,meantime split the point with Fide Master Roel Abelgas in 43 moves of King's Indian defense, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad drew with Joselito Cada in 50 moves of English Opening while Grandmaster John Paul Gomez halving the point with International Master Daniel Quizon in 24 moves of Sicilian defense.
Woman National Master Jerlyn Mae San Diego carried the good fight for Paralympic Team after beating Michella Concio in 55 moves of Sicilian defense.
Actually in the blitz phase, Paralympics edged Laguna, 4-3, before Laguna bounced back winning the rapid competition, 9-5.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, the Laguna Heroes escaped against SinQGApore, 11-10.
In other interesting results, country's youngest National Master and 10 years old Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes swept Arena Candidate Master Richard Allen Sicangco in their rapid and blitz showdown to help propel the Pampanga Checkers into a 13-8 victory over Mindoro Tamaraws.
Erickson Costuna, Woman National Master Lexie Hernandez and National Master Louie Pablo also carried the good fight for Pampanga Checkers after beating Arena Grandmaster Joselito Asi, Arena Fide Master Cyliz Kaessa Merilles and Marcelo Abeleda in their rapid and blitz matches.
NM Reyes also dealt Malaysian Looi Xin Hao in their top board matches but not enough after Pampanga Checkers losing to Penang, Malaysia, 16-5. Pampanga now has 3 wins, 6 loss record.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows:
2-time Asian Junior champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. of Laguna Heroes and Country's youngest National Master and 10 years old Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes of Pampanga Checkers