By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Laguna Heroes recovered from a setback to the Iloilo Kisela Knights by blasting the Iriga City Oragons, 17.5-3.5, in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) online tournament via lichess.com Wednesday.
Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla bested National Master Glennen Artuz to power the Heroes to a 12-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division.
Barcenilla, a many-time national champion, downed Artuz in 34 moves of King’s Indian Defense in their blitz duel before winning in 25 moves of London System Opening in the rapid play.
Also delivering 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.
Up next for the Heroes are the Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors and the Mindor Elgin Tamaraws on Saturday.
The Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and the San Juan Predators currently pace the Northern Division with similar 14-1 records.
