UP AGAINST the title-holding Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in the eighth round of matches in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Men’s Chess Tournament, the Blue Eagles suffered a 0.5-3.5 loss on Saturday, October 5, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila City. 

Ateneo now sits in seventh place with a 2-2-3 record and a points total of 11.5 coming into the second round of matches. 

The Blue Eagles went with their usual starting roster: Vince Edralin, Tristan Cervero, Team Captain Gavin Ong, and Alexander Santos, took responsibility of boards one to four, respectively.

Despite their best efforts, Edralin, Santos, and Ong fell to their Tamaraw counterparts, which meant that the team-tie was beyond rescue. Cervero won Ateneo’s only points of the round after striking a deadlock with his opponent at second board.

Though his side felt the sting from their defeat, Ong’s belief in their collective potential and skill never wavered. “Today’s loss was heartbreaking. Although they were the defending champions, we still had no excuse of the result today,” he said. 

“Now that round one is over, we’re looking forward to a brighter round two starting tomorrow. We’ll prepare and stay sharp for the rest of the tournament,” stated Ong.

The Blue Eagles will attempt to revive their contention hopes against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 29, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila City.