IN COMMANDING fashion, the Ateneo Chess Teams concluded stage one of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Chess Tournament with flying colors. Both contests took place at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Technology Building in the City of Manila.
Bouncing back from a tough loss against National University, the Women’s Team was victorious over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 2 (3) – 1 (1). The landslide achievement brought the Women’s squad to fourth place, pushing for a stage two comeback in the standings. On the other hand, the Men’s Team bested the Adamson University (AdU) Soaring Woodpushers, 2 (4) – 0 (0), shooting them up to second place.
Right after midday, the women’s matches could only be described as a one-sided affair brandished in Blue and White. Jisesel Marino, Ma. Elayza Villa, and Team Captain Kristine Flores found their stride, dominating their Katipunan counterparts Jeryln San Diego, Precious Ferrer, and Jallen Agra, on boards one to three respectively. Meanwhile, Alphecca Gonzales had a valiant performance even in a loss against Jarel Renz Lacambra. Even with the first three wins secured, it was an unpreventable victory for Ateneo for this table, 2 (3) – 0 (1).
Simultaneously, the Blue Eagles also masterfully controlled the Men’s table with wins from boards one to three by Jasper Faeldonia, Khalil Kis-ing, and Paul Matthew Llanillo, respectively.
Tristan Cervero was the last Blue Eagle playing on a board as he was well aware that the Loyola Heights-based team already had Adamson cornered. Scanning the board, he swiftly found an opening and made the finishing move for an Ateneo sweep, 2 (4) – 0 (0).
In a joyous mood following today’s victories, Coach Luffe Magdalaga ecstatically shared, “I am happy that they were able to execute their strategies during the games.”
Magdalaga went on to clarify that given chess’s difficulty, executing the moves is almost a feat in itself due to the many variables that can happen in a given match. He also credits the players’ diligent efforts in reading the given handbooks, which prepared them for their impressive performances today.
Looking to carry their momentum past stage one, the Ateneo Women’s Team has its sights on dethroning the current number one Far Eastern University Chess Team this Saturday. On the other hand, the Men’s Team also gazes afar, preparing for their match against the University of Santo Tomas Male Woodpushers next Sunday. Both matches will transpire at 1:00 PM, at the same venue.
Men’s standings
- UST 9.0 [16]
- Ateneo 7.0 [11.5]
- UP 5.0 [10.0]
- FEU 5.0 [10.0]
- DLSU 3.0 [9.0]
- ADU 1.0 [3.5]
Women’s standings
- FEU 14.0 [17]
- NU 11.0 [15.5]
- DLSU 8.0 [12.0]
- Ateneo 7.0 [12.5]
- UP 6.0 [9.5]
- ADU 5.0 [9.5]
- UST 5.0 [8.0]
