THE ATENEO Chess Teams end the third day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Chess Tournament with much better results.

Going up against Katipunan neighbors University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, the Men’s Team was able to produce a hard-fought 2-2 outing. Meanwhile, the Women’s Team was successful in their matchup against the De La Salle University (DLSU) after coming out on top of the Lady Woodpushers, 2.5-1.5.

It was a back-and-forth affair for the Men’s Team that began with Joshua Mikyle Tan losing the first board to UP’s Stephen Rome Pangilinan. On the second board, Christopher Kis-ing grinded out an endgame win over Mark James Marcellana. While Ateneo senior Hans Reyes lost to Jon Darryl Batula in the third board, it was rookie Paul Lianillo in the fourth board who edged out John Edward Vito Cruz to tie the points up for the Blue Eagles.

Over on the Women’s Team, the ladies found their groove after Alexis Oseña and Kristine Flores both won their boards against DLSU’s Irish Yngayo and Sara Francine Olendo, respectively. Ateneo’s Laila Nadera settled for a draw with Lady Woodpusher Francois Marie Magpily, while Blue Eagle rookie Jiessel Marino conceded her board to International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Samantha Revita.

“Simply by sensing [my teammates’] competitiveness, I was inspired to win my game,” Team Captain Oseña said of the team’s performance in the match. “I’m happy and more motivated to keep doing my best for our upcoming games.”

The Ateneo Men’s Chess Team will have a short break from competition as their next match against the Adamson Soaring Falcons is set to be next Sunday, November 27. On the other hand, the Women’s Team will face next-door neighbors UP Fighting Maroons this coming Sunday, November 20. Both matches are scheduled at 2:00 PM at the FEU Diliman Sports Complex in Quezon City.