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.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
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) snared 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.
FEU-D’s Joemel Narzabal impressed in his maiden UAAP season with a gold medal on Board 5 along with the Rookie of the Year award.
Meanwhile, 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.
