THE ATENEO Blue and Lady Eagles continued their University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season with matches against National University (NU) on Friday, March 10 at De La Salle University in Manila.

Rookie Gavin Ong wins big on board 2

After a long hiatus to the UAAP Chess tournament, the Blue Eagles returned with a renewed sense of determination as they looked to end the first round on a high note. The Blue Eagles were without Team Captain Ricki Yao, but were able to field a strong four with rookie Lance Ting now lining up alongside fellow rookie Gavin Ong, and veterans Jolo Lat and Renzo Marquez.

NU, currently the first-place team, entered the match with 18 points, compared to Ateneo’s five and a half points, yet this did not faze the Blue Eagles. Performances were at an all-time high with Lat stating: “[the] odds were against us, [it] was difficult to get one [point], but Renzo [Marquez] had a great game against an international master, I almost equalized, and Gavin won!”

The solitary win against NU takes the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a tally of six and a half points at the end of the first round of UAAP Chess.

Lady Eagles impress against NU

Having waited the better part of a month to return to action, the Ateneo Lady Eagles returned emphatically with a very commendable performance against last-place NU. Entering the match-up with only half a point separating both teams, Ateneo needed to be on top of their game to remain above the Bulldogs in the standings.

Team Captain Bren Membrere, alongside veterans Aryanne De Ocampo, Ana De Duque, and Jasmine Principe lined up for the Ateneo, with Membrere and Principe managing convincing wins on boards 2 and 4 respectively.

Having split the points ahead of the second round, Ateneo remains above NU with seven points from the first round.

The Blue and Lady Eagles return to action on Sunday, March 12 at De La Salle University in Manila.