THE ATENEO Blue and Lady Eagles played the final matches of their University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season against University of the Philippines (UP) and National University (NU) respectively on Sunday, April 2 at De La Salle University in Manila.
Blue Eagles’ first team win proves decisive
The Ateneo Blue Eagles came into the match against UP with a total cumulative score of 9.5 points against UP’s 11.5 points. Their first round encounter between the two ended in a 2-2 draw which meant that the Blue Eagles would need at least a 3-1 victory on the day to overcome UP and take 7th place overall.
The last round of the match also marked the first time in four matches that the Blue Eagles could field their first choice lineup with Team Captain Ricki Yao, veterans Jolo Lat and Renzo Marquez, and rookie Gavin Ong all lining up for the Blue and Whites.
An early defeat for Ricki Yao on board 1 meant Ateneo needed victory on the three remaining boards. Marquez and Ong managed simultaneous victories before Lat overcame his UP counterpart in the season-defining match to give the Blue Eagles their first team-tie victory over UP.
Although tied on points at 12.5 per team, Ateneo claimed the 7th place finish as they defeated UP in head-to-head team-tie results.
Ateneo Blue Eagle Gavin Ong also claimed the Rookie of the Year title for UAAP Season 79 Chess managing two crucial wins over the span of the season and greatly contributing to the Blue Eagles’ season.
“The future is very bright for him [Gavin Ong] taking the Rookie of the Year award. It’s the first Rookie of the Year award that we’ve won since Jem Garcia who is an International Master,” said Graduating Captain Ricki Yao.
The Season 79 Rookie of the Year was also adamant to heap praise on his captain. “Ricki’s been a great inspiration for all of us. He’s done so much for us in so many ways. He’s like a big brother to us,” said Ong.
Membrere claims silver in emotional farewell
As with the Blue Eagles Team Captain, the Lady Eagles Team Captain, Bren Membrere, played her last match for the Ateneo Chess Team against NU. Fellow Lady Eagles Aryanne de Ocampo, Mine Sandoval, and Jill Feliciano also lined up for the Blue and Whites on the last day of UAAP Chess.
Despite a disappointing 0-4 result, the day had positives for the Lady Eagles as Bren Membrere claimed a silver medal as she managed the second highest score on Women’s Chess board 2—a feat she would take with her, as she departs from the Ateneo Chess Team.
“It’s both sad and happy for me today—sad because I’m leaving the team I’ve been a part of for 5 years but happy because I’m moving on to something new,” said Membrere about departing the team.
On the subject of the Lady Eagles’ future endeavors, Membrere stated: “with the results they had this season, with all of them managing to score this season, and with their fighting mentality, I know that next season they will improve and go on to do greater things.”
Gavin Ong claims Rookie of the Year while Membrere claims silver on board 2 as UAAP Chess comes to a close
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