University of Santo Tomas and National University delivered scintillating performances in the final round to clinch the collegiate men’s and women’s titles, respectively, in the UAAP Season 88 Chess Championships on Sunday at the Adamson University Gym.
Breaking the trend of early title clinches in previous seasons, this year’s collegiate chess action produced a thrilling finish, keeping players and coaches on edge until the very last round.
The Sampaloc-based NU squad, in particular, trailed for most of the season before pulling off a stunning victory in the penultimate round and sealing the championship with a clutch final-round win.
‘We played catch-up all season long. We had to go through the needle on our way to becoming champions this season. From Round 1 to Round 12, La Salle was leading. Then, luckily for us, we beat them in Round 13. Up to the last round, it was still everybody’s game,’ shared NU coach Jojo Aquino.
‘Yung pressure talaga di nawawala yung (kada championship run)There’s always pressure every time you contend for a championship. That’s why I told my players not to be complacent and they responded very well,’ he added.
The Lady Bulldogs claimed their third overall title and first since their back-to-back championship runs in Seasons 84 and 85. Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy led the charge with a gold-medal performance on the top board, earning her second MVP award in the women’s division.
‘Super proud and happy because I got the MVP award and the team was able to win the championship in my last playing year,’ said Doroy, who also won a pair of MVP honors while anchoring NU Nazareth School in the girls’ division during Seasons 81 and 82.
Fellow Lady Bulldog Jersey Marticio earned Rookie of the Year honors with a silver medal on Board 2, while Kyla Dalagan secured a silver on Board 4.
In the men’s division, UST dominated the University of the Philippines, 3.5-0.5, to capture a fifth consecutive title and 12th overall. Chester Reyes led the Male Woodpushers, going undefeated in the final three rounds to claim a gold medal on Board 2 and the MVP award.
‘Winning the championship and MVP is a big achievement. We were able to peform up to our standards even in the absence of our senior players. I hope we’re able to continue our winning ways,’ said Reyes.
UST’s Lee Roi Palma (Board 3), Mark Reyes (Board 5), and Allan Hilario (Board 6) each added a gold medal, while FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz took silver on the top board.
Far Eastern University finished as runner-up behind UST, anchored by FIDE Master Marcojo’s gold medal on Board 1. Lemuel Adena (Board 5) earned silver, while Jerish John Velarde (Board 2) and National Master Franklin Andes (Board 6) each secured bronze.
Completing the men’s podium was De La Salle University, which rebounded from three opening losses to claim second runner-up honors. Rigil Pahamtang (Board 4), John Lance Valencia (Board 6), and Cyril Telesforo (Board 3) finished with gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively, with Pahamtang also earning Rookie of the Year.
In the women’s division, De La Salle also took runner-up honors after edging the dethroned back-to-back champions FEU in the final round. Woman National Master Rinoa Sadey (Board 3) and Checy Telesforo (Board 5) both won gold medals, while Lovely Geraldino (Board 6) and Woman National Master Francois Magpily (Board 1) took silver and bronze, respectively.
FEU placed third in the women’s division with gold medal performances from Samantha Umayan (Board 2), Franchesca Largo (Board 4), and Joyce Rueda (Board 6), and silver medals from Woman FIDE Master April Joy Claros (Board 3) and Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (Board 5).
Despite finishing fourth overall in the women’s division, UST’s Jamaica Lagrio (Board 2), Rohanisah Buto (Board 4), Princes Oncita (Board 5), and Nathalie Liscano (Board 6) all secured bronze medals. Ateneo de Manila University’s Alphecca Gonzales claimed bronze on Board 3, while Adamson University’s Robelle de Jesus took silver on the top board.
UP, which ended the season fifth in the men’s division, earned two silver medals through Io Aristle Calica (Board 2) and Daniel Tagufa (Board 3), while Roderenz Adra added bronze on Board 4. Ateneo finished fourth in the men’s division, highlighted by Ritchie Abeleda’s silver (Board 4) and Christopher Kis-ing’s bronze (Board 5). Adamson’s John Rocel Simon rounded out the men’s medalists with a bronze on Board 1.