Far Eastern University slammed Ateneo, 3-1, to virtually clinch the Men’s title with still two rounds to go in the UAAP Season 82 Chess Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Sunday.
RK Sevillano and Darry Bernardo took the cudgels when the Tams rested top board player Jeth Romy Morado for the third straight round and pulled off wins on boards one and three, respectively, while JM Jacutina and John Jasper Laxamana drew with Tristan Jared Cervero and Alexander Santos on second and fourth boards.
That hiked FEU’s total to 38 points, or 6.5 points ahead of No. 2 University of Santo Tomas, which has 31.5.
FEU will use its last two games versus University of the East and University of Santo Tomas as its coronation ceremony as a 15th title awaits it.
Meanwhile, UST virtually clinched second place after downing UE, 2.5-1.5, on wins by Julius Gonzales and AJ Almodal on first and third boards and a draw by Brylle Gever Vinluan with Bin Ali Ali on second board.
Ryan Christian Bacay Edsel Vosotros on fourth board for UE’s only win.
UST has 31.5 points.
The race for third place, however, will be a three-team fight among Adamson (22), University of the Philippines (21.5) and National University (21.5).
Adamson zoomed to no. 3 after clobbering NU, 3-1, UP caught up on NU at No. 4 by escaping past La Salle, 2.5-1.5.
