THE ATENEO Women’s Chess Team took down the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Woodpushers, 2.5-1.5, snatching their ticket to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Rapid Chess tournament semifinals. The round seven of the demonstration sport took place earlier today at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila.

Rookie sensation Lexie Hernandez locked herself in a gritty standoff with Francois Magpily to kick off the match. Despite the Lady Woodpushers’ best efforts for a win, the Atenean freshman held her to a crushing stalemate and secured half a point for the Blue Eagles.

On the other board, 1819 FIDE Elo Elayza Villa tallied a point for the Loyola Heights-based crew after blitzing DLSU’s Lovely Geraldino. However, Team Captain Kristine Flores fell to Rinoa Sadey, which put the bout at a 1.5-all deadlock.

With the fate of the match in her hands, Alphecca Gonzales made sure to secure the win for the Blue and White, routing Checy Telesforo to propel Ateneo to a first-place finish in the round robin. 

Dead set on lifting the UAAP Rapid Chess trophy, the Ateneo Women’s Chess Team will face the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, March 29, at 2:00 PM in the same gym.