THE ATENEO Women’s Chess Team concluded the twelfth round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 with a triumph against archrivals De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Woodpushers, 2(3) – 0(1). This victory puts the Blue Eagles’ standing to a 5-2-3 (win-draw-loss) card with two matches left this season. The match between the two rivals took place earlier today at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Technology Building in the City of Manila.
Today’s lineup for the Katipunan-based squad consisted of Jiessel Marino, Elayza Villa, Kristine Flores, and Alphecca Gonzales.
The nail-biting clash between Blue Eagle Elayza Villa and DLSU’s Francois Magpily ultimately ended in a draw by agreement from both Women National Masters on the second board. Meanwhile, Alphecca Gonzales secured the team’s first win of the day against Lady Woodpusher and Woman National Master Rinoa Sadey as the latter resigned with one move away from a checkmate on the fourth board.
Continuing the Loyola Heights-based squad’s unblemished day, Team Captain Kristine Flores’s match against Woman National Master Sara Olendo ended in a hard-fought draw on the third board. To end the contest on a high note, in the first board, Jiessel Marino showed prowess as DLSU’s Checy Telesforo resigned from the match with Marino’s pawn promotion.
When asked about the team’s goal as the season comes to an end, Coach Yves Rañola emphasized that their eyes are on securing the overall third-place position. “Dahil nanalo ang NU sa FEU, wala na kaming chance for second, kaya kailangan namin ma-secure ‘yung third place,” asserted the Ateneo mentor.
(With NU winning against FEU, the team no longer has a chance to finish second overall, so we have to secure the third-place finish).
The Ateneo Women’s Chess Team has its sights on winning against reigning champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs this Saturday. Meanwhile, the Men’s Team is eyeing to win against next-door-neighbors University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Both matches are scheduled on Saturday, 1:00 PM, at the same venue.
