EARLIER TODAY, the Ateneo Chess Teams finished off round four of the UAAP Season 86 Chess Tournament in bittersweet fashion. The Women’s Team rose above their first two losses of the season as they conquered the struggling Adamson University (AdU) Lady Woodpushers, 2 (3) – 0 (1). On the other hand, the Men’s Chess Team’s match against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons concluded in a draw, 1 (2) – 1 (2). All the matches transpired at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tech Building in the City of Manila.

With a deadlock against UP, the Men’s Team would keep their comfortable place at the top half of the tournament standings. On the other hand, the Women’s Team’s victory pushed them outside the bottom of the standings. 

The Ateneo Men’s Chess Team’s day commenced when they sent out Jasper Faeldonia, Khalil Kis-ing, Tristan Cervero, and Janmyl Tisado to battle it out with the Fighting Maroons’ Stephen Pangilinan, Cyrus Francisco, Melson Gallo, and Joshov Rosarda. Bouncing back from his loss in the Adamson match, Team Captain Kis-ing rose to the occasion and defeated Cyrus Francisco on board two. On board three, Cervero showed his wit and skill, defeating Melson Gallo for another Blue and White victory. 

However, the string of victories would come to a halt when Tisado suffered defeat against Rosarda. The Blue and White settled for the draw when the erstwhile undefeated Faeldonia was dealt his first loss of the season, succumbing to Pangilinan, 1 (2) – 1 (2).

At the other table, the Women’s Team was unwilling to prolong their skid, dispatching Jiesel Marino, Elayza Villa, Kristine Flores, and Alphecca Gonzales against AdU’s Robelle de Jesus, Phoebe Arrelano, Queenie Samarita, and Jashua Patria. On boards two and three, Villa and Team Captain Flores would tie against their opponents, claiming a vital point for the Blue Eagles. Reinforcing those two draws, Marino and Gonzales triumphed over de Jesus and Patria respectively. The subsequent wins would secure the Loyola Heights-based squad their first victory of the season, 2 (3) – (0).

After the slate of games, Coach Yves Ranola commented on the men’s results. “Standing namin maganda naman, still second place. Kailangan lang ‘yung mga tumalo sa amin ay babawian namin sa second round,” he stated.

(Our standing is good, still second place. We just need to make a comeback against the teams we lost to in the second round.)

Ranola also shared that even though the Women’s Team started slow this season, they will push through in the second half of play.

Now looking to build momentum, the Ateneo Women’s Team will face off against long-time rivals De La Salle University Lady Woodpushers on Wednesday at 1:00 PM, while the Men’s Team aims to bounce back as they go head-to-head against the Adamson Falcon Woodpushers on Sunday, 1:00 PM at the same venue.