THE ATENEO Chess Teams kicked off their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 campaigns with both the Men’s and Women’s teams recording losses. The first day of the tournament was held yesterday at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman Sports Complex in Quezon City.

The Men’s Team had a tough first assignment, going up against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Male Woodpushers. The defending champions were too strong for the Blue Eagles as they were swept in their season opener, 0-4. Meanwhile, the Women’s Team produced a better performance against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, albeit in a loss, with a final score of 1.5-2.5.

To open for Ateneo, Men’s Team Captain Joshua Mikyle Tan, Christopher Khalil Kis-ing, Hans Jeremy Reyes, and Paul Matthew Llanillo played boards one to four, respectively. Despite putting up a valiant effort against the reigning champions, they were outclassed by the Male Woodpushers with all of their matches ending in defeats.

En route to two wins for FEU, Lady Tamaraws Me Ann Joy Baclayon and Bea Mendoza outplayed Ateneo’s Laila Nadera and Glesit Tatoy, in boards one and two, respectively. Meanwhile Blue Eagle Team Captain Alexis Oseña emerged triumphant against Divine Luna on the third board. It was a nail-biting match for Atenean Kristine Flores on the fourth board against Rizalyn Tejada of FEU, as the match concluded with a draw.   

Despite the loss, Head Coach Yves Rañola reiterated his trust in his team’s lone winner of the day, veteran Oseña. “I really believe in her, which is why I put her on the third board. She really performed well during Season 84, so I was confident that she [would] continue that today.”

The Ateneo Chess Teams will continue their campaign on the boards as the Men’s Team will be taking on the De La Salle University Green Archers, while the Women’s Team will battle out the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, later today at 2:00 PM at the FEU Diliman Sports Complex.