THE ATENEO Chess Teams recorded two wins, one draw, and two losses combined as they continued Round 2 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Chess Tournament. The matches were held on December 3, December 8, and December 11 at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tech Gym in the City of Manila.
December 3 games
The Women’s Team earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the FEU Lady Tamaraws on December 3. Ateneo’s Jiessel Marino edged out FEU’s Me Ann Joy Baclayon in the first board. Despite Laila Nadera and Team Captain Alexis Oseña losing the next two boards, it was Kristine Flores who secured the game-tying victory against FEU’s Regyne Palaming in the final match.
December 8 games
Both Men’s and Women’s Teams faced their Katipunan neighbors, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, on December 8. After notching their first win of the season on December 4, it would be a rough outing for the Men’s Team as they were unable to topple UP, suffering a 1.5-2.5 defeat.
Ateneo got off to a shaky start with Team Captain Joshua Tan falling to UP’s Stephen Pangilinan in Board 1. Boards 2 and 3 saw Christopher Kis-Ing and Paul Llanillo earn a win and a draw, respectively. With the score tied at 1.5 apiece, Ateneo’s Rico Calderon took on UP’s Joshov Rosarda in the final board, which ended in a defeat.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Team garnered a crucial 4-0 sweep over the Fighting Maroons, with Blue Eagles Marino, Nadera Oseña, and Flores winning all four boards. This resounding victory was the first time the Women’s Team earned a sweep since 2019, also against the Fighting Maroons.
December 11 games
Looking to secure their second victory, the Men’s Team went up against the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons on December 11. Kis-Ing started the proceedings with a Board 1 win over AdU’s Vince Arellano. Ateneo’s Hans Reyes, Llanillo, and Paolo Villa then competed in the next three boards, respectively. Despite their valiant efforts, they were unable to edge out AdU, bowing out at 1-3.
On the other hand, the Women’s Team was able to pull off a victory over defending champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs with a 3-1 scoreline. This result is a far cry from their previous encounter in the first round, which ended in defeat for Ateneo.
Marino and Oseña took on NU’s Natasja Balabbo and Kylen Joy Mordido in Boards 1 and 3, respectively. Both teams had an intense battle, ending in a stalemate for both boards. Boards 2 and 4 proved to be the deciders as Ateneo’s Laila Nadera and Kristine Flores edged out their Sampaloc-based counterparts in their respective matches to secure the victory for the Blue and White.
As of writing, the Men’s Team currently has 11 total points, good for fifth place. The Women’s Team is currently in the third spot, with a total of 24.5 points.
The final day of the UAAP Season 85 Chess Tournament will be on Saturday, December 17, at the FEU Tech Gym in Manila at 9:00 AM. The Men’s Team look to end the season on a high note as they take on the FEU Tamaraws, while the Women’s Team seeks a podium finish in their clash against the AdU Lady Falcons.
