The Far Eastern University sets in motion their bid for a second straight men’s title, while De La Salle opens their three-peat bid in the women’s side as the UAAP Season 82 chess tournament blasts off this weekend at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Tamaraws will take on De La Salle at 1 p.m. on Saturday, then former three-time champion National University on the same time Sunday.
The Lady Woodpushers from Taft play Katipunan-based squads Ateneo at 1 p.m. on Saturday and University of the Philippines the following day.
FEU eyes for a 15th men’s crown overall, while De La Salle guns for a 10th tiara in the distaff side.
Rookie of the Year winner Jeth Morado led the Tamaraws last season by winning the Board 2 gold, while Romy Fagon was the team’s other gold medalist in Board 4.
The Bulldogs hope to reclaim lost glory behind reigning four-time MVP International Master Paulo Bersamina, who also topped Board 1. Arnel Ilagan was the other gold medalist for NU in Board 6.
The Lady Woodpushers were simply dominant last year with 43 points. WCM Mira Mirano was named the tournament MVP and Board 1 gold medalist, while her teammate Samantha Revita bagged the Rookie of the Year honors, as well as the Board 4 gold.
Ella Moulic was De La Salle’s other gold medalist in Board 3.
The Lady Maroons and the Lady Falcons finished second and third respectively.
In the high school division, FEU-Diliman eyes a five-peat in the boys’ side, while NU-Nazareth goes for a second consecutive girls’ crown.
After drawing an opening day bye, the Baby Tamaraws open their title-retention campaign against University of Santo Tomas at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
NU-Nazareth will begin its back-to-back championship bid against De La Salle-Zobel at 1 p.m. on Saturday and UST at the same time Sunday.
FEU-Diliman’s Dale Bernardo, a veteran of the 19th ASEAN Chess Age Group Championship, won the boys’ season MVP honors last year, while NU-Nazareth’s Fide Master Allanney Jia Doroy was the first-ever girls MVP.
