THE ATENEO chess teams took a beating last August 9 during the first rounds of the 71st UAAP season. Jaro Buenavista (II BS MIS) and the rest of the Blue Woodpushers went head-to-head against their toughest competitor De La Salle University (DLSU) and bowed, 3-1, in favor of the rival school.
The Lady Woodpushers did not fare any better as Kat Edaniol (III BS MIS) and Nikki Capinpin (I AB Eco) only managed to make the most out of two draws, earning 0.5 points each, but still fell short against University of Sto. Tomas (UST), who brought home three points.
Though the Woodpushers were waylaid by both opponents, rookie EJ Plan (I BS Mgt) remains optimistic. “The team will use this as a learning experience. At least we got more experience, which the other schools had more of.”
Looking ahead
After a disappointing season, the Ateneo chess team is out to redeem themselves and begin anew.
Both teams finished last in their respective leagues last season. But led by captains Eddan Macabulos (II BS Psy) and Ianah Marie Olonan (I AB MEco), as well as standouts Sheila Mendoza (IV BS Bio) and Edaniol, the Woodpushers worked very hard in the summer as they start their campaign in Season 71.
The team has made many efforts to improve themselves, under the guidance of head coach and International Master Idelfonso Datu, as they entered multiple tournaments.
The Woodpushers tested their mettle in the first Subic International Open & Chess Challenge held in Subic Bay, Pampanga, where the team modestly played against national team members and other local veterans. In their age groups though, promising rookies Plan and Capinpin gained highs of 6.5 points and five points, respectively, out of a possible nine points.
The team also joined the NCR Eliminations for the Dresden, Germany Chess Olympiad, as Woodpusher Captain Macabulos placed eighth, garnering 5.5 points out of 7.
Macabulos is confident in the team, saying that they could equal that of top teams FEU, UST and DLSU, yet stays humble with his insights. “Team Ateneo did improve this year, but of course other teams improved as well,” he said.
Best case scenario for the team? “I guess we will leave that for the future. We’ll take it one game at a time and then we’ll see,” said the captain.
