THE ATENEO Men’s Chess Team concluded their campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Rapid Chess tournament with a sixth-place finish. The first five rounds of the demonstration sport’s inaugural tilt took place this weekend at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.

The Men’s Team suffered defeats against rivals De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Woodpushers and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on the first day. On the second day, the Katipunan-based squad continued to suffer a cold streak as they faltered against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Male Woodpushers, and Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Falcons to conclude the tournament.

Representing the Blue Eagles in the Men’s division were Paul Llanillo, Team Captain Khalil Kis-ing, Knarf Batislaong, and Manuel Maglunog.

Llanillo and Batislaong both faltered in their opening bouts against DLSU’s Angele Biete and Jester Sistoza, while Kis-ing and Maglunog each settled for a stalemate against their Taft-based counterparts, Cyril Telesforo and Evan Ong.

The Katipunan-based squad also struggled to find their footing in their second round matchup with the Fighting Maroons. Kis-ing, Batislaong, and Maglunog each conceded a point against UP’s Roderenz Adra, Io Calica, and John Niadas, respectively, while Llanillo secured a deadlock against Stephen Pangilinan.

Growing pains persisted for the Men’s Team on the second day of the tournament, as they faced another 1-3 setback against the Tamaraws. Kis-ing captured the sole victory of the matchup against FEU’s John Jacutina, while Llanillo, Batislaong, and Maglunog each absorbed a loss against their Morayta-based counterparts.

Later in the afternoon, the Blue Eagles succumbed to a 0-4 sweep by a UST side that featured International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Christian Daluz and Arena Grandmaster Melito Ocsan Jr.

Following their matchup against the Male Woodpushers, Batislaong then secured a point against Adamson’s John Simon to finish the Blue Eagles’ campaign in the tournament. Llanillo, on the other hand, settled for a deadlock against Joshua Roque of the Soaring Falcons. Meanwhile, both Kis-ing and Maglunog fell to their San Marcelino-based counterparts, losing the battle against the home squad, 1.5-2.5.

The Men’s Team will look to bounce back as the Blitz tournament commences on Sunday, March 30, at 10:00 AM in the same venue.