REMINISCENT of its triple championship triumph in the standard event last November, Far Eastern University delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of the UAAP Season 87 Rapid Chess Championships, leading three divisions after two rounds, Saturday at the Adamson Gym.
National team prodigy and Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino teamed up with Lyn Getubig to spearhead the Lady Baby Tamaraws’ campaign in the girls’ division.
Both secured back-to-back victories on Board 2 and Board 3, respectively, as FEU-D edged out University of Santo Tomas, 2.5-1.5, before overwhelming Adamson University, 3.5-0.5.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The boys’ division saw FEU maintain a flawless record, crushing UST, 3.5-0.5, in Round 1 and blanking De La Salle Zobel, 4-0, in Round 2.
The trio of Oscar Cantela (Board 2), Franklin Andes (Board 3), and Lemuel Adena (Board 4) showcased their dominance, asserting FEU-D’s championship pedigree right from the start.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the men’s division, the Tamaraws made their title ambitions clear, with reigning standard event Rookie of the Year and FIDE Master Mark Bacojo leading the charge on the top board.
FEU stunned defending standard event champion UST with a commanding 3.5-0.5 victory in Round 1 before sustaining its momentum with a solid 3-1 win over Adamson in Round 2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Lexie Hernandez-led Ateneo de Manila University stole the spotlight with a stunning 3.5-0.5 upset against standard event champion FEU.
The Blue Eagles then battled to a 2-2 draw with National University in Round 2 to take the solo lead.
NU, which earlier escaped with a tight 2.5-1.5 win over Adamson, finished the day in second place.
University of the Philippines, meanwhile, rose to the the second spot in the men’s division, thanks to Arena Grandmaster Io Aristotle Calica’s perfect two-round performance.
Calica helped the Fighting Maroons edge Adamson, 2.5-1.5, before routing Ateneo, 3.5-0.5.
La Salle placed third after a 3-1 victory over Adamson in Round 1 and a hard-fought 2-2 draw against UST in Round 2.
Over in the boys’ division, Ateneo High School displayed remarkable form, securing back-to-back wins with a 3.5-0.5 triumph over La Salle and a 3-1 drubbing of Adamson. The Blue Eagles climbed to second place, trailing only the undefeated FEU-D.
In the girls’ division, National University Nazareth School took solo second place despite a 3-1 Round 2 loss to UST, which sits in third. NUNS edged ahead in the standings due to superior tiebreak points following a dominant 4-0 sweep of La Salle in Round 1.
The UAAP Season 87 Rapid Chess Team Championship will resume later today with three more rounds at the Adamson Gym.
