Far Eastern University – Diliman solidified its bid for a back-to-back double championships in the Boys’ and Girls’ divisions after achieving separate sweeps in Round 7 of the UAAP Season 86 Chess Championship at the FEU Tech Gym in Manila on Saturday.
The FEU-D Boys’ team delivered a 4-0 shutout win against Ateneo High School to remain on top of the league standings with 11 match points and secure at least a runner-up finish.
National Master Franklin Andes [4.5/5], National Master Jerish John Velarde [5/6], Lemmuel Adena [3/4], and Zeus Paglinawan [2/2] all secured a full point each against Luis Guttierez [2/6], Arena FIDE Master Marc Fua [1.5/4], Arena FIDE Master Ronell Co [0/3], and Jose Pio Caro [0/3] on Boards 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
University of Santo Tomas also scored a win after defeating Adamson University, 2.5-1.5, to secure at least a runner-up finish with three rounds still to go.
UST National Master Al-Basher Buto [4/5] and Sumer Oncita [1.5/2] bagged victories over Karl Ballobar [2/5] and Robert Palisoc [3/6] on Boards 3 and 4, respectively, followed by National Master Oshrie Reyes’ [3/4] draw with Dustin Herrero [3/6] on Board 2 that pocketed UST’s fourth win in five matches.
National Master Karlzycris Clarito [2.5/5] succumbed to his second straight loss after conceding to Adamson’s Joshua Roque [2/6] on Board 1.
In the Girls’ division, FEU-D’s 4-0 demolition of Adamson University marked its fourth win in five matches, bringing its total to nine match points and maintaining a slim one-match point lead over second-running National University Nazareth School.
They have also secured at least a second runner-up finish heading into the final three rounds.
Women National Masters Ruelle Canino [4/5], Samantha Umayan [4/4], and April Joy Claros [2/4] all pocketed a victory each against Lira Placer [1/5], Ma. Christina Samarita [2.5/6], and God Grace Morales [3/5] on Boards 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
Kate Ordizo [2/2] completed the sweep with a win on Board 4 over Christen Reyes [0.5/3].
University of Santo Tomas then completed a season sweep of De La Salle Zobel with a 4-0 thrashing in Round 7.
Precious Yecla [3/6], Marjeri Janapin [1/3], Nathalie Liscano [5.5/6], and Friztine Baybayan [2/2] all emerged triumphant in their matches against Mariel Solis [0/2], Fiorela Marinduque [0/5], Zuri Navarro [0/5], and Ayana Montes [0/3] on Boards 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Round 8 of the high school division is scheduled on Sunday, November 12.
