THE ATENEO Women’s Chess Team concluded the sixth round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 with a loss, succumbing to Defending Champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 0 (1.5) – 2 (2.5). This loss puts the Blue Eagles’ standing to a 1-1-3 (win-draw-loss) card. The match was held earlier today at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Technology Building in the City of Manila.

It was a back-and-forth affair for the Blue Eagles that began with Aleck Saniego conceding the fourth board to NU’s Nastaja Balabbo. Elsewhere, Ateneo rookie and lone winner Elayza Villa ground out a win over Princess Balete on the second board. Meanwhile in board one, Blue Eagle veteran Jiessel Marino yielded to Lady Bulldog Allanney Doroy. Lastly, Team Captain Kristine Flores and NU’s Jesca Docena went head-to-head in a nail-biting game that ended in a stalemate.

Despite the three losses, Ateneo Head Coach Yves Ranola stayed optimistic and gave points of improvements that he wants to see from the ladies in their succeeding games. “Kailangan lang nilang dagdagan ‘yung confidence nila. Nag he-hesitate sila sa mga simpleng tira tapos nakakapos sila sa oras sa huli,” asserted Ranola.

(They just need to gain back their confidence. They hesitate in their moves wherein they lose time at the end of the games).

Looking to get back in the winning column, the Women’s Chess Team is set to face next-door-neighbors University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. Meanwhile, the Men’s Chess Team returns to the boards against Adamson (AdU) Falcon Woodpushers. Both matches are scheduled on Sunday, 1:00 PM in the same venue.

Standings:

FEU 12.0 [17.0]

NU 7.0 [12.5]

DLSU 4.0 [9.5]

UP 4.0 [8.5]

Ateneo 3.0 [9.5]

AdU 3.0 [8.0]

UST 3.0 [7.0]