THE ATENEO Women’s Chess Team inches closer to booking a ticket to the semifinals following a pristine performance in the first five rounds of the inaugural University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Rapid Chess tournament. The kickoff of the demonstration sport took place this weekend at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.
In stunning fashion, the Blue Eagles successfully took down the powerhouse and defending standard champions Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws while securing a draw with the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs. These results firmly placed the Blue and White at solo first in the standings after day one.
Holding firm at the top, the Loyola Heights-based squad secured commanding victories against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Female Woodpushers, and Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons on the second day of competition.
With nine match points, the Blue Eagles currently sit at the second spot of the tournament.
Leading the way for the Women’s Team were Team Captain Kristine Flores, reigning Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Lexie Hernandez, Elayza Villa, Alphecca Gonzales, and Jiessel Marino.
Hernandez, Villa, and Flores each secured a point against FEU’s Vic Derotas, Mhage Sebastian, and Mary Joy Tan, respectively. Subsequently, Gonzales settled for a deadlock against Lady Tamaraw Franchesca Largo.
UAAP Season 87 classical ROTY Hernandez continued her dominance in the second round of the tournament as she outwitted Woman International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Allaney Doroy of the Lady Bulldogs. Both Flores and Gonzales then tallied half a point each in draws against NU’s Yana De Vera and Queen Pamplona, respectively. Meanwhile, Villa struggled to find her rhythm and faltered against Natasja Balabbo of the Jhocson-based squad, securing a stalemate for the team.
Day two saw the Women’s Team make easy work of their Katipunan neighbors, with Hernandez and Gonzales outplaying UP’s Jallen Agra and Sofia Alcala, respectively. Villa and Flores each ended on level terms with Fighting Maroons Raiza Locmayoan and Precious Ferrer, sealing a 3-1 victory against the Diliman-based unit.
Riding high on their momentum, the Blue Eagles then took down UST with a similar 3-1 result. Despite Villa falling short to Female Woodpusher Jamaica Lagrio, Hernandez, Flores, and Gonzales picked up the pieces and swiftly took down their España-based counterparts in a dominant display to keep Ateneo undefeated.
To round out their weekend, the Blue and White trumped Adamson, 2½-1½. The squad of Hernandez, Flores, Villa, and Marino escaped with a tight victory over Lady Falcons Mariane Flora, Robelle De Jesus, Angela San Luis, and Phoebie Arellano.
The Women’s Team will head into their final bout of the round robin against rivals DLSU to secure their crossover berth on Wednesday, March 26, at 2:00 PM in the same venue.
Editor’s Note: The online results indicate a 2-2 draw with Adamson in the fifth round; however, as per the Ateneo Chess Team, the final score should be indicated as a 2½-1½ win.
