by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---The Laguna-Dasmariñas crushed the Cagayan Kings, 14-7, and the Isabela Knights of Alexander, 12-9, to remain on top from both the North and South divisions in the on going 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) chess tournament virtually held at Chess.com Platform on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
The Laguna-Dasmariñas extended their winning streak to 17 games.
Against Cagayan, the ever-reliable veteran GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. put on a show once again after dictating Laguna’s pace with his win in the first playing board of the Blitz category.
Everything then just fell in place as the Laguna-Dasmariñas backed by Cavite Fourth District Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. started with a 4-3 score and managed to dominate the Rapid category, 10-4, to close the show in an emphatic fashion.
Barcenilla defeated Jake Tumalian on board one, both the Blitz and Rapid and so did as National Master Nicomedes Alisangco against Alexander Jude Malabad on board five.
It was the same story against Isabela as the Laguna-Dasmariñas blitzed their way in both the Blitz, 4-3, and Rapid category, 8-6.
Barcenilla dismantled Nicanor Marinduque on board one, Fide Master Roel Abelgas toppled Alvin Aguinaldo on board two and Woman National Master Jerlyn Mae San Diego defeated Sheryll Bordon on board three, both the Blitz and Rapid category.
"The matches were close and exciting. We are happy to have secured the twin victories tonight against Cagayan and Isabela." said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez, one of the owners of the Laguna-Dasmariñas team franchise.
The team, also supported by David Nithyananthan of Kalaro and Greatech Philippines, Engr. Billy Joe Ereňo of Costbusters Philippine Corp., Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice Foods and Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, improved its win-loss mark to 26-1 in the Northern division of the online professional chess tournament.
San Juan is in second place with a 25-2 record followed by Pasig with a 21-6 card.
Fourth and fifth is Mandaluyong with a similar 15-12 win-loss card. At solo sixth place is Cavite with a 14-13 slate.
The top six teams in the Southern division are Negros Island Region (24-3), Davao (20-7), Toledo (18-9), Iloilo (14-13), Camarines-Iriga (13-14) and Surigao (13-14).
Laguna-Dasmariñas suffered their only loss at the hands of Negros Island Region, 12.5-8.5, last March 8.
Last game of Laguna-Dasmariñas against Cavite Spartans on Saturday for the group elimination round.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows former two-time Asian Junior Champion GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. who won all his matches.