The UST Tiger Woodpushers make history, while the FEU Tamaraws clinch titles in three divisions. Here’s how the final day of action went down.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Woodpushers on Tuesday made history by completing a four-peat and securing their 11th title overall in a dominant showing throughout the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Chess Tournament at the Adamson Gym.
With an almost intact championship roster, the Tiger Woodpushers clinched the title as early as the penultimate round and finished the season with 17 match points, earning eight wins, one draw, and one loss.
UST head coach Ronald Dableo couldn’t help but bask in the glory of this record fourth straight UAAP chess championship, marking the longest reign in the school’s history.
“Sa sobrang saya ko, magba-Baguio kami. Medyo may gastos ako dun syempre. Hindi pa namin kasi siya nailalapit sa UST, natuwa lang din ako sa mga bata na ginawa pa rin nila yung best nila kahit nga nagkaroon kami ng talo nung una,” shared Dableo.
Dableo was referring to a shaky start when UST suffered a stunning Round 2 loss to De La Salle University. However, his players showed great poise, overcoming the adversity to win by at least two points in six of the last seven rounds.
“Di talaga namin ineexpect yun kasi ang ineexpect naming contender is yung FEU kasi puro sila mga titled players. Kaya nung tinalo kami nung La Salle, sobrang nagulat kami. Buti na lang, mga beterano na rin sa UAAP yung mga players ko. Natural na lang sa kanila yung matalo tapos babalik,” Dableo explained, reflecting on what transpired during the season.
FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz anchored UST’s title defense with an undefeated record across nine matches, earning this year’s MVP award with a gold medal performance on the top board.
“It was a dream come true for Daluz, who admits to having MVP aspirations when he entered the UAAP as a rookie last season.
“Masaya ako sa MVP kasi pinagpaguran ko talaga yun. Pinaghandaan ko talaga yung season na to. Last year, goal ko na rin talaga yung MVP kaso ganun talaga, hindi para sakin eh. Ngayon nagprepare talaga ko para makuha ko yung MVP,” he said.
The Espana-based squad further highlighted its stellar season by sweeping the gold medals in all boards, with Chester Reyes (Board 2), Jan Clifford Labog (Board 3), Melito Ocsan Jr. (Board 4), Lee Roi Palma (Board 5), and Julius Gonzales (Board 6) each claiming a gold.
University of the Philippines improved to second place this season, thanks to the stellar performances of rookies Roderenz Adra and Io Aristotle Calica.
Far Eastern University, led by Rookie of the Year FIDE Master Mark Bacojo, finished third after overcoming De La Salle University in the final round.
Bacojo earned the silver medal on Board 1, with UP’s FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan taking the bronze.
La Salle rookie Angele Biete added to the Green Archers’ celebrations by winning the silver medal on Board 2, while UP’s Cyrus Francisco earned the bronze.
On Board 3, Adra took the silver, as FEU’s FIDE Master John Merill Jacutina claimed the bronze.
UP’s Calica and La Salle’s Daniel John Lemi bagged the silver and bronze medals, respectively, on Board 4, while Istraelito Rilloraza (FEU) and Norberto Manuel (Ateneo) won silver and bronze medals, respectively, on Board 5.
On the Board 6 podium, Gonzales was joined by FEU’s Christian Olaybal (silver) and Adamson University’s Dustin Herrero (bronze).
FEU reigns supreme in women’s division
Far Eastern University went undefeated throughout the season to secure its second consecutive title in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Chess Tournament at the Adamson Gym on Tuesday.
The Lady Tamaraws dominated the field with 10 wins and 2 draws, clinching the title as early as Round 12.
“I think they really deserve it because the players truly worked hard. Especially throughout the duration of the UAAP, the players took the initiative to study on their own. That’s really the most important thing for a player,” said FEU assistant coach and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna of the Lady Tamaraws.
Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian was the cornerstone of FEU’s Season 87 championship, leading the charge from the top board with seven wins, three draws, and two losses. She earned the gold medal and the MVP award.
“Very thankful ako kay God kasi po throughout this tournament ginabayan niya po ako even though may mga naging talo rin po ako. Nung natalo kasi ako, napanghindaan ako ng loob. After that, ang naging mindset ko na lang is just play your game,” shared Sebastian, who also won the UAAP MVP in the girls’ division two seasons ago.
“Yan din sabi ng parents ko, laruin na lang yung game. Wag na isipin yung individual standings. Actually, yung pagiging MVP, di ko siya masyadong iniisip. Ang sakin lang po as long as magchampion yung team at mag gold ako. Yun lang po talaga. Yung MVP is just added blessing.”
Fellow Lady Tamaraw and Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (Board 2), Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan (Board 3), Francesca Largo (Board 4), Samantha Umayan (Board 5), and Rhea Jean Canino (Board 6) also secured gold medals in their respective board assignments.
De La Salle University finished as runners-up after a strong performance in the final rounds, while National University took third place.
Lady Green Woodpusher and Woman National Master Francois Magpily led La Salle’s podium finish with a silver medal on Board 1, while former MVP and FIDE Master Allaney Doroy of NU claimed the bronze.
Ateneo de Manila University’s Lexie Hernandez earned the top rookie award with a silver medal finish on Board 3. She joined Tan and Hernandez on the Board 2 medal podium, where La Salle’s Rinoa Sadey took the bronze.
Ateneo’s Ma. Elayza Villa also earned a silver on Board 2, with UP’s Jerlyn San Diego securing the bronze.
On Board 4, Adamson University’s Robelle De Jesus and NU’s Natasja Balabbo won the silver and bronze, respectively.
La Salle’s Checy Telesforo earned the silver on Board 5, while Ateneo’s Alphecca Gonzales claimed the bronze.
Rounding out the medalists, Jelaine Adriano (NU) and Phoebie Arellano (ADU) took silver and bronze on Board 6, respectively.
FEU-Diliman’s ‘golden double’
Far Eastern University-Diliman clinched the boys’ and girls’ division titles for the third consecutive season, remaining undefeated in the UAAP Season 87 High School Chess Tournament at the Adamson Gym on Tuesday.
The Baby Tamaraws capped off an immaculate season with eight wins, while the FEU-D girls’ team finished with seven wins and one draw. Both teams secured their titles as early as Round 8.
Five members of the FEU-D boys’ team went undefeated, with Season MVP Oscar Cantela leading the way. Cantela also earned a gold medal on Board 1.
Head coach and Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales expressed satisfaction with another near-sweep but still harbors aspirations for a historic sweep of all the chess titles in the UAAP, given the talent his players have demonstrated in recent seasons.
“Last year, we advanced two rounds in the high school (to win the championship). It also helped that there were fewer teams, so we secured the championship early. Right now, our target is to try to complete a sweep of all four divisions,” Gonzales shared.
Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino, who represented the Philippines at this year’s FIDE Chess Olympiad, finished with a perfect record in eight matches, securing the gold medal on Board 2 and earning her second consecutive MVP award.
“Masaya po ako na nakuha ko ulit yung MVP award dito sa UAAP. Grateful din ako kasi consistent yung naging performance ko ngayong season. Marami din ako natutunan mula sa team at sa paglalaro ng chess,” Canino said.
Joining Canino as gold medalists in the girls’ division were National University Nazareth School’s Jersey Marticio (Board 1), Adamson University’s Ma. Christina Samarita (Board 5), University of Santo Tomas’s Alleana Gonzales (Board 6), as well as fellow FEU-D stars April Joy Carlos (Board 3) and Franiel Magpily (Board 4).
FEU-D’s Kate Ordizo was the only other medalist on Board 1, taking home a silver.
Daren Dela Cruz’s silver on Board 2 helped UST secure second place, while National University Nazareth School (NUNS) took third. Dela Cruz was joined by teammate Iana Sotaridona, who won the bronze behind NUNS’ Juzeia Agne (silver) on Board 3, and also earned the top rookie citation.
On Board 4, UST’s Nathalie Liscano secured a silver, and Sara Dalagan claimed bronze. Meanwhile, Trina Temple (UST) and Ann Beatrice Bombales (FEU-D) earned silver and bronze on Board 5, respectively. FEU’s Lyn Getubig grabbed the silver on Board 6.
In the boys’ division, UST finished as the runner-up, with ADU settling for third.
Tyrhone Tabernilla shone as the key player for De La Salle Zobel, securing a silver medal behind Cantela on the top board. UST’s Sumer Oncita claimed the bronze.
On Board 2, Jerish John Velarde (FEU-D), Karlycris Clarito Jr. (UST), and Allan Dolfo (Ateneo) shared the gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. On Board 3, John Borce (UST), former MVP Franklin Andes (FEU-D), and Jose Pio Caro (Ateneo) earned the gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
Lemuel Adena (FEU-D) emerged as the gold medalist on Board 4, followed by Arena FIDE Master Ronell Co (Ateneo) and Jian Carlo Rivera (UST) who took silver and bronze, respectively.
Jude Dableo added to UST’s medal collection with a silver on Board 5, while Ateneo’s Luis Gabriel Gutierrez salvaged the bronze.
Arena FIDE Master Ritchie Abeleda secured the gold on Board 6, with Bryce Bayani (UST) and Marlon Bababobo (UST) winning silver and bronze, respectively.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.