Ateneo de Manila University made history after clinching its first-ever women’s chess championship via tiebreaker in the inaugural UAAP Season 87 Blitz Chess Championships held Saturday at the Adamson Gym.
The Lady Eagles forced a dramatic 2-2 draw against powerhouse Far Eastern University in the finals, with MVP Ma. Elayza Villa securing a crucial draw against Mhage Sebastian on Board 2 — enough to seal the championship through a superior tiebreak score.
“Up to the last game yung laban. Yung naging decider yung sa Board 2. Kailangan namin at least makatabla. Eh nakuha sa dasal and may halong swerte na rin. Alam mo sa blitz kelangan hindi lang magaling ka eh. Dapat may kasamang swerte ka rin,” said Ateneo head coach Yves Ranola, who credited grit, prayers, and a little luck for the win.
Ranola, a former champion coach at FEU, added, “Ngayon, lumaban sila nang husto sa blitz saka rapid. First time to sa Ateneo eh kasi ngayon lang kami nakalapit sa championship. Mixed emotions. Siyempre masaya rin. Yung sa blitz nakabawi kami. Sa rapid kasi natalo kami sa finals, FEU rin yung kalaban.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Far Eastern University still dominated in other divisions, capturing the men’s title with a 4-0 sweep of top-seeded University of Santo Tomas in the finals.
Tournament MVP and FIDE Master Mark Bacojo spearheaded the Tamaraws’ flawless campaign, winning all four matches on Board 1 against Chester Reyes.
De La Salle University claimed the bronze medal in the men’s division after defeating the University of the Philippines, 3-1.
In the women’s division, La Salle also took third place by edging UST, 2.5-1.5.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST, meanwhile, reigned supreme in the boys’ division behind the unstoppable Alekhine Nouri. The FIDE Master tallied a perfect 16-match win streak during the eliminations to earn MVP honors and carried the Tiger Cubs through a comeback title win via tiebreaker.
After back-to-back 3-1 losses in the first two rounds of the finals, UST roared back with a 4-0 sweep in Round 3 before salvaging a 2-2 draw in the final round.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
National University-Nazareth School also shocked the field by snatching the girls’ division title from FEU, relying on total points scored after forcing a 2-2 draw in the finals.
Sara Dalagan was pivotal in NUNS’ win, upsetting national standout Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino in two straight matches to set the tone early. Jersey Marticio was later named MVP for the girls’ division.
“The truth is yung game plan namin is yung dalawang players nila (FEU) sa gitna. Sabi ko sa players ko yung Board 2 and 3, sina Canino and Claros, yun ang i-neutralize natin. Kung one of the them matablahan niyo lang, magcha-champion tayo,” said coach Jose Aquino Jr.
“Actually unexpected ito dahil alam naman natin yung FEU talagang mighty team yan… Pero yun nga binigay pa rin sa’min ni Lord, kaya thank you kay Lord talaga. Binigay Niya sa’min ‘to,” he added.
Adamson University and UST rounded out the podium finishes in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, respectively.
In the rapid chess event, FEU’s Franklin Andes and Joyce Rianna Rueda bagged MVP honors for the boys’ and women’s divisions. UST’s Daren dela Cruz (girls) and Chester Reyes (men) were also recognized as the top individual performers.
