FORMER champion Laguna Heroes are making their presence felt in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference — again.

The Heroes completed another back-to-back victories over two-time champion San Juan Predators, 11-10, in the fourth round and Mandaluyong Tigers 15.5-5.5, in the fifth round to remain as the only unbeaten team with five straight victories in the Northern Division.

Two-time Asian Junior champion GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. and Vince Angelo Medina carried the fight for the Dr. Fred Paez-owned Heroes, posting similar 3-0 victories in this prestigious, 20-team tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Lsnd and PCWorx.

Barcenilla asserted his mastery over over IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, winning both bliz and rapid matches on board two.

Medina pulled the rug fromunder IM Paulo Bersamina in blitz and Jerad Docena in rapid to clinch all three points on homegrown board.

The victories by Barcenilla and Medina cushioned theimpact of Karl Victor Ochoa’s victory over IM Daniel Quizon at the top board.

WFM Shania Mae Mendoza and IM Angelo Young of Laguna also their ground against WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and IM Ricardo de Guzman of San Juan, respectively.

Laguna was even more impressive in it svictory against Mandaluyong, withBarcenilla, Mendoza, Young and Nicomedes Alisangco winning their respective matches.

GM Darwin Laylo drew with Quizon, 1.5-1.5, and NM Michael Gotel downed IM Michael Concio for Mandaluyong’s points.

Laguna also won over Rizal Towers, 13.5-7.5, in the first round, Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 14.5-6.5, in the second round and two-time winner Pasig Pirates, 15.5-5.5, in the third round to grab the solo lead with five straight victories.

San Juan bounced back from the sorry loss to Laguna by tripping Manila Indios Bravos, 16-5, to keep solo second place with a 4-1 slate.

Ochoa and Garcia led San Juan’s charge by beating IM Ronald Dableo, and CM Jovert Valenzuela with similar 3-0 scores.

Bersamina blanked FM Edgardo Garma, 3-0, while Fronda edged WCM Christy Lamiel Bernales, 2-1, on the female board.

IM Chito Garma and CM Jhulo Goloran saved the day for Manila with 2-1 victories over De Guzman and Narquingel Reyes and Jerad Docena.

PCAP, the country’s first professional chess league, is headed by PCAP President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, and Chairman Michael Angelo Chua.

The tournament is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin.

Standings:

North — Laguna 5-0; San Juan 4-1; Cagayan 3-2, Pasig 3-2; Mandaluyong 2-3,
Cavite 2-3, Isabela 2-3, Manila 2-3,
Rizal 2-3; Quezon City 0-5.

South — Negros 5-0, Toledo 5-0, Camarines-Iriga 5-0; Iloilo 3-2; Davao 2-3, Surigao 2-3,Tacloban 2-3; Zamboanga 1-4;
Cebu 0-5, Mindoro 0-5.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya