Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Bacenilla Jr.’s skillful maneuvers powered the Laguna Heroes to a 17.5-3.5 whipping of Iriga City Oragons in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the lichess platform.
The former two-time Asian Junior champion Barcenilla, bounced back from his loss to Grandmaster Joey Antonio of Iloilo Kisela Knights, 2-1, by defeating National Master Glennen Artuz after 34 moves of King’s Indian defense in the blitz portion followed by 25-move victory of London System Opening in the rapid play.
This helped the Laguna Heroes of team owner-playing coach Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez recover from their 8.5-12.5 setback to Iloilo Kisela Knights. The Heroes climbed to third spot with a 12-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division standings behind tournament co-leaders Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and San Juan Predators who tote similar 14-1 outputs.
Also delivering crucial wins for the Heroes were Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.
The Laguna Heroes bested Iriga City Oragons in blitz portion, 5.5-1.5, as well as in the rapid format, 12-2.
The Laguna Heroes look forward to another great performance Saturday night (February 13, 2021) when they face Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors and Mindoro Elgin Tamaraws.
Other members of the Laguna Heroes winning team were Vince Angelo Medina, Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Jonathan Mamaril, Benjamin Dy and David Nithyananthan.