DESPITE DOMINATING the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in their Final Four matchup, the Ateneo Women’s Chess Team settled for a silver finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Rapid Chess tournament as they faltered against Far Eastern University (FEU). The event took place earlier today at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.

Leading the way for the Blue and White were Lexie Hernandez, Elayza Villa, Team Captain Kristine Flores, and Alphecca Gonzales. The Blue Eagles breezed through its crossover matchup with the Female Woodpushers, securing a 3-1 victory over the España-based squad.

UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year Hernandez and Atenean skipper Flores outwitted UST’s Precious Recla and Christine Tabungar, respectively, capturing two points for the Blue Eagles. Subsequently, Villa and Gonzales settled for a stalemate against their España-based counterparts.

In the championship match, however, the Blue Eagles struggled to find their footing and surrendered a ½-3½ defeat to the powerhouse FEU.

Among the Katipunan-based squad, only Gonzales successfully put Ateneo on the board, capturing a deadlock against Lady Tamaraw Joyce Rianna Rueda.

The Ateneo Women’s Chess Team, along with the Men’s Team, will return for the inaugural UAAP Blitz Chess tournament, tomorrow, 10:00 AM, in the same venue.