THE ATENEO Chess Teams returned to action in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Blitz Chess Tournament earlier today, April 10, at the Adamson University Gym in the City of Manila. Today’s slate also marks the debut of blitz chess as a regular sport in the UAAP after being contested as a demonstration event last year.
After becoming the inaugural champions last year, the Ateneo Women’s Chess Team (AWCT) opened their title defense with a victory over the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, followed by a draw against the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons.
On the other hand, the Ateneo Men’s Chess Team (AMCT) dropped all three of their scheduled assignments against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Male Woodpushers, and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Woodpushers.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Elayza Villa, Alphecca Gonzales, and Jiessel Marino returned to defend their Season 87 championship alongside Francine Magpily in the Women’s Tournament. Meanwhile, bannering the Blue and White in the Men’s division were Ritchie Abeleda, Cedric Abris, Team Captain Khalil Kis-ing, and Knarf Batislaong.
Women’s vs. UP
Establishing their dominance early, the defending champions went against the Fighting Maroons in a 3.5-0.5 series outcome. Team Captain Villa overwhelmed UP’s Maryss Caldoza with her tactical prowess in board one, 3.5-0.5. Gonzales and Marino also claimed victories in boards two and three after edging out Rizzalyn Santos and Raiza Locmayoan in identical fashion, 2.5-1.5. In board four, Magpily narrowly fell short of securing the sweep for Ateneo after encountering a 2-2 stalemate versus Janice Monsales.
Women’s vs. AdU
Despite their momentum, the AWCT absorbed a draw in their second match against AdU, 2-2. Veterans Villa and Marino maintained their winning formula in boards one and three after clinching similar 2.5-1.5 victories against Robelle De Jesus and Lira Placer, respectively.
However, Gonzales and Magpily suffered a pair of 1-3 defeats in boards two and four against AdU’s Christina Samarita and Angela San Luis, respectively, preventing Ateneo from claiming their second overall win of the season.
Men’s vs. FEU
In the Men’s division, Ateneo was tested early on by defending champions FEU, dropping their opening match, 0.5-3.5. Arena FIDE Master Abeleda struggled on board one against International Master Mark Jay Bacojo, succumbing to a 0.5-3.5 defeat.
Similarly, Atenean pair Abris and Kis-ing were grounded by Jerish Velarde and Dale Bernardo in a pair of 1-3 defeats on boards two and three, respectively. Nonetheless, Batislaong managed to eke out a draw against FEU’s Oscar Cantela, 2-2, to bag half a point for Ateneo.
Men’s vs. UST
Immediately after, the Blue and White faced another tough task at hand as they went against the Season 87 silver medalist Male Woodpushers. The AMCT quartet was unable to bounce back, falling 0-4 to UST’s contingent.
Abeleda and Abris succumbed to 0-4 losses against Jan Labog and Christian Daluz, respectively, while Kis-ing and Batislaong suffered identical 0.5-3.5 defeats to UST’s Chester Reyes and Vince Pascual.
Men’s vs. DLSU
Rounding out the opening day of competition, the Blue Eagles displayed renewed determination against last year’s bronze medalists La Salle, with Batislaong securing Ateneo’s first point after toppling Green Woodpusher John Valencia on board four, 3.5-0.5.
However, despite their best efforts, Abeleda and Abris stumbled in 1-3 losses to their Lasallian counterparts Angele Biete and Cyril Telesforo while Kis-ing absorbed a 1.5-2.5 defeat on the third board to Rigil Pahamtang as Ateneo ultimately fell, 1-3.
Following today’s results, both teams will look to claim a Final Four spot in their remaining round robin matches tomorrow, April 11, at 1:00 PM in the same venue.
