Far Eastern University continued its dominant run in the UAAP Season 87 Rapid Chess Championship, securing the top playoff seeds in three divisions, Sunday at the Adamson Gym.
The Baby Tamaraws were nearly unstoppable in the boys’ division, conceding only 0.5 points after five rounds to emerge as the clear frontrunners heading into the medal rounds.
Oscar Cantela (Board 2) and Franklin Andes (Board 3) led the charge, both scoring a perfect four points in four matches to set the tone for FEU’s dominant performance.
In the girls’ division, Lyn Getubig (Board 3) mirrored their success, remaining undefeated in four matches to propel FEU-Diliman to the top spot heading into the semifinals with a flawless record.
Meanwhile, in the men’s division, FIDE Master Mark Bacojo took charge, amassing 4.5 points in five rounds as the Tamaraws swept the elimination round with five consecutive wins.
De La Salle University finished second, buoyed by Angele Biete’s strong play on Board 2, where he accumulated four points in five rounds. La Salle will face defending standard event champion University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals.
Despite suffering three straight losses on Day 2, University of the Philippines secured a semifinal berth and will challenge top-seeded FEU for a spot in the gold-medal series in the men’s division.
In the women’s division, archrival Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University became the first teams to clinch semifinal spots after earning crucial victories on Day 2.
Ateneo, led by Lexie Hernandez’s unbeaten run on the top board, locked in at least the fourth seed in the medal rounds. The Blue Eagles now have a chance to claim the top spot when they face the Lady Green Woodpushers in Round 7.
FEU will battle UST for the championship in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions on Saturday, March 29. Meanwhile, Rounds 6 and 7 of the women’s division are scheduled for Wednesday, March 26.
