Far Eastern University reclaimed the title it last won four seasons ago by dominating the competition in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Chess Championship on Sunday at the FEU Tech Gym.
It was FEU’s sixth women’s title, with the latest coming way back in Season 82 before National University took a two-year reign.
In Season 86, the Lady Tamaraws went undefeated up until Round 11, where they bowed to De La Salle University, followed by another loss in the succeeding round to National University, where they only needed a 2-2 draw to clinch the championship.
“During those times, ang ganda ng preparasyon. We’ve been preparing for that match for so many days already, or a week. Mabigat na yun sa chess kasi oras lang pwede na. Lahat pumasok sa aming ineexpect na tira from the opening. Yung position talaga, kahit sa computer, the result should’ve been in favor of FEU,” said FEU head coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales on their loss to NU in Round 12.
“Somehow because of ‘tabla lang naman kailangan eh.’ Nung nakita nilang winning na si Mary Joy, then isang panalo na lang or dalawang tabla tapos na so they didn’t go for the extra mile effort. Ang sabi ko sa kanila ang pagiging champion it takes a lot of hard work,” he went on.
“Inabot kami ng alas-9 mahigit sa kakabigay sa kanila ng mga lecture. Aggressively telling them na the defeat hindi dahil malakas ang kalaban. It’s because of their attitude.”
The dethroned NU finished second, while Ateneo de Manila University took third.
Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan, who spearheaded FEU’s championship run, bagged the MVP title along with a gold medal on Board 2.
“Actually, wala po talaga sa isip ko yung MVP even yung sa board medals. Yung inisip lang po talaga namin, as long as mag-champion yung team, okay na po yun. So parang laking blessing na po yung MVP. Kaya hindi ko po inexpect na makuha ko yung title na to,” she said.
“That’s why parang bonus siya sa akin and I feel very thankful kasi dumating siya sa akin na hindi ko naman talaga siya ine-expect. It means a lot to me din baka ito yung reward ng pagsisikap ko, yung hard work ko.”
It was a job best done for the Lady Tamaraws as Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian also pocketed the Rookie of the Year award and the gold medal on Board 3.
Rounding out FEU’s medalists are bronze medalists Rizalyn Tejada (Board 5) and Shaina Romanillos (Board 6).
NU was led by Board 1 silver medalist Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy, Board 3 bronze medalist Jesca Docena, Board 4 silver medalist Natasja Balabo, and Board 5 gold medalist Jelaince Adriane.
Back-to-back third placers Ateneo also had four medalists in Jiessel Marino (Board 1 gold medalist), Ma. Elayza Villa (Board 2 Silver medalist), Alphecca Gonzales (Board 4 bronze medalist), and Glesit Tatoy (Board 6 gold medalist).
De La Salle University, which tied NU for the title last season before losing on tiebreaks, settled for fourth in Season 86.
Season 85 MVP and Woman National Master Francois Magpily concluded an up-and-down campaign with a bronze on Board 2.
Meanwhile, Woman National Master Sara Olendo finished with a silver on Board 3 for DLSU.
University of the Philippines, who had a chance of a podium finish until faltering to FEU in Round 13, settled for a 5th place finish.
Rookie Jerlyn San Diego achieved a bronze medal on Board 1 to go along with Jarel Lacambra’s silver medal on Board 6.
Rohanisah Buto salvaged UST’s campaign with silver on Board 5 while Queenie Samarita served as the hero for cellar-dwelling Adamson University after taking the gold on Board 4.
