De La Salle University stole the spotlight after delivering a 4-0 sweep of University of the Philippines to open its UAAP Season 89 Men’s Chess Championships campaign on Saturday at the BGPOP Building, UST in Manila City.
With the other two men’s matches ending in 2-2 draws, the Green Woodpushers seized the early lead with two match points, while defending champion University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Adamson University, and Ateneo de Manila University found themselves in a four-way tie for second with one match point apiece.
Rookie FIDE Master Jethro Aquino [1.0/1.0] set the tone for the Taft-based squad on Board 2, turning back UP’s Cyrus Francisco [0.0/1.0] to help power La Salle’s perfect opening-round performance.
National Master Tenshi Biete [1.0/1.0] likewise delivered on Board 1, defeating Io Calica [0.0/1.0], while Rigil KentPahamtang [1.0/1.0] and John Lance Valencia [1.0/1.0] completed the sweep against Daniel Tagufa [0.0/1.0] and Rodernerz Adra [0.0/1.0], respectively.
Meanwhile, reigning five-time champion UST salvaged a 2-2 stalemate against FEU behind a clutch endgame performance from Jan Clifford Labog [1.0/1.0], who converted a one-pawn advantage in a same-colored bishop endgame to prevail over FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri [0.0/1.0] after a grueling 94-move encounter.
Labog’s victory on Board 3 proved crucial for the defending champions, offsetting Chester Acuyong’s [0.0/1.0] loss to FEU’s Jerish Velarde [1.0/1.0] on Board 4 with fellow UST stalwarts Lee Roi Palma [0.5/1.0] and Chester Reyes [0.5/1.0] settling for draws with International Master Mark Bacojo and National Master Oscan Cantela, respectively.
Ateneo and AdU also fought to a 2-2 stalemate, with Soaring Falcons senior Joshua Roque [1.0/1.0] taking down rookie National Master Tyhrone Tabernilla [0.0/1.0] on Board 3.
Ateneo’s National Master Cedric Abris [1.0/1.0] responded by defeating National Master Michael Jan Inigo [0.0/1.0] on Board 2 while Khalil Kis-Ing [0.5/1.0] and Ritchie Abeleda [0.5/1.0] battled John Rocel Simon [0.5/1.0] and Juncin Estrella [0.5/1.0] to fighting draws on Board 1 and 4, respectively, completing the deadlock.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Over in the women’s division, UP pulled off the opening round’s biggest upset after stunning defending champion National University, 2.5-1.5.
With the match deadlocked at 1.5-all, Maryss Caldoza [1.0/1.0] delivered the crucial point for UP on Board 4, outlasting Sara Dalagan [0.0/1.0] in a tense endgame showdown.
Caldoza advanced a pair of connected passed pawns before sacrificing her knight to clear the path for an unstoppable queening pawn, eventually forcing resignation to seal UP’s victory over the reigning champions.
Woman National Master Jerlyn San Diego [1.0/1.0] accounted for UP’s other full point after defeating Jelaine Adriano [0.0/1.0] on Board 1, while Woman National Master Antonella Racasa [0.5/1.0] shared the point with NU’s Queen Pamplona [0.5/1.0] on Board 3.
Jersey Marticio [1.0/1.0] prevailed over Raiza Mae Locmayaoan [0.0/1.0] to secure NU’s lone win.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
FEU likewise opened its campaign on a winning note after dominating La Salle, 3.5-0.5, to take the early lead on the distaff side, ahead of second-running UP.
Debuting rookie Woman International Master Ruelle Canino [1.0/1.0] made her presence felt from the top board with a masterful performance against Woman National Master Heart Padilla [0.0/1.0] to go along with Woman FIDE Master Franchesca Largo’s [1.0/1.0] win over Juzeia Agne [0.0/1.0] on Board 3.
On Board 4, Ericka Ordizo [1.0/1.0] delivered full points for the Moryata-based squad against Chevy Telesforo [0.0/1.0], as Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian [0.5/1.0] settled for a draw with La Salle’s Lovely Geraldino [0.5/1.0] on Board 2.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UST also barged into the win column after a 2.5-1.5 win over Ateneo courtesy of Trina Temple’s [1.0/1.0] decisive win on Board 3 after defeating Alphbecca Gonzales [0.0/1.0].
Ateneo’s Ma. Elayza Villa [0.5/1.0], Francine Magpily [0.5/1.0], and Yzabell Nabor [0.5/1.0] all settled for draws with Precious Day Yecla [0.5/1.0], Woman National Master Daren Dela Cruz [0.5/1.0], and Gabrielle Aton [0.5/1.0] on Board 1, 2, and 4, respectively.
Round 2 matches are ongoing as of publishing.
