National University moved to the brink of reclaiming the crown it last won three seasons ago after edging past De La Salle University with a nerve-wracking 2.5–1.5 victory in the penultimate round of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Chess Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson gym.
With the Sampaloc-based squad holding a 2–1 lead after the conclusion of Boards 2 to 4, Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (9/11) displayed remarkable composure on the top board.
She played a grueling 80-move draw that lasted more than four hours against La Salle’s Woman National Master Francois Magpily (6.5/11) to secure the win for the Lady Bulldogs.
Even NU coach Jojo Aquino struggled to put into words the tension he felt during Doroy’s endgame showdown, where a single misstep could have handed the championship to La Salle.
“Di mo ma-explain. Mixed emotions eh. Kanina pa kami kinakabahan eh. Ang hirap. Hanggang ngayon parang hirap magsalita eh,” expressed a visibly shaken Aquino.
“Still too early to celebrate kasi may one game pa. Focus pa rin kami. We will not be complacent. Siyempre, happy kami kasi leading kami finally. Ngayon lang kami nagleading kasi malakas talaga ang La Salle eh. Solid ang line-up nila so we’re so happy talaga na nanalo kami today.”
Jersey Marticio (8.5/11) opened the scoring for NU by swiftly dispatching La Salle’s Juzeia Agne (4/6) on Board 2 in 42 moves of a Tarrasch Defense: Two Knights Variation.
Jelaine Adriano (3/7) and Kyla Dalagan (5.5/8) then secured draws on Boards 3 and 4, respectively, paving the way for Doroy’s dramatic finish.
With the victory, NU climbed to the top spot with 19 match points, pushing La Salle to second with 18 match points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Defending champion Far Eastern University also secured a podium finish after a dominant 3–1 triumph over Ateneo de Manila University, boosting its total to 16 match points in the women’s division.
Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian (5/8), Samantha Umayan (6/8), and Franchesca Largo (9/10) delivered full points on Boards 1, 2, and 4, respectively, keeping the Lady Tamaraws’ bid for a runner-up finish alive.
The Morayta-based squad now needs to overcome La Salle in the final round to clinch second place.
On the other hand, the Taft-based squad still has a mathematical chance at the title if it defeats FEU and NU falls to University of Santo Tomas in the final round.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the UST Male Woodpushers moved within 1.5 board points of a five-peat after a commanding 3–1 victory over Ateneo, lifting them to 14 match points.
Against Ateneo, FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz (6/9) and Chester Reyes (7/9) secured wins on Boards 1 and 2, defeating Ateneo’s Eowyn Jullado (1/6) and Cedric Abris (6/9).
Lee Roi Palma (6.5/9) and Mark Gerald Reyes (2.5/4) then settled for draws on Boards 3 and 4, respectively, completing UST’s dominance.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Far Eastern University also emerged victorious in the penultimate round of the men’s division with a lopsided 3.5–0.5 win over Adamson University, keeping them in second place.
FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (6/9), Lemmuel Adena (3/5), and National Master Franklin Andes (4.5/6) all earned victories in their respective boards, while Jerish John Velarde (4/7) settled for a draw.
FEU can still capture the men’s title if the defending champions score only 0.5 board points in the final round, provided the Morayta-based squad secures a shutout victory over third-running La Salle, which earlier edged University of the Philippines 2.5–1.5 to claim the final podium spot.
