National University delivered a scintillating performance in the final round to clinch the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Chess title on Sunday at the Adamson University Gym.
The Sampaloc-based NU squad, which had trailed for much of the season, staged a remarkable comeback in the penultimate round and sealed the championship with a clutch final-round victory.
“The way we became champion this season, talagang dumaan din kami sa butas ng karayom kasi naghabol kami eh. From Round 1 to Round 12, La Salle ang leading. Then nung Round 13 namin against them, luckily, nanalo kami. Up to the last round wala pa, everybody’s game pa rin,” shared NU coach Jojo Aquino.
“Yung pressure talaga di nawawala yung (kada championship run). Yung kaibahan lang ngayon, yesterday talaga yung pinaka-focal match namin. Kumbaga yung deciding. Kaya nga I told my players na ingat pa rin (sa laro sa last round). Don’t be complacent kasi siyempre, mahiwaga ang chess eh. Buti na lang they responded very well,” he added.
The Lady Bulldogs claimed their third overall title and first since their back-to-back championship run in Seasons 84 and 85. Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy led the charge with a gold-medal performance on the top board, earning her second MVP award in the women’s division.
“Super proud ako tsaka masaya kasi last playing year ko na ‘to tapos nakuha ko yung MVP at champion yung team. Kumbaga, bago man lang sana ako di na makapaglaro sa UAAP mag-champion pa. Very thankful ako kasi binigay sa’min ni Lord yun na mag-champion kami ulit after two seasons,” said Doroy, who had also won a pair of MVP honors while anchoring NU Nazareth School in the girls’ division during Seasons 81 and 82.
Fellow Lady Bulldog Jersey Marticio earned Rookie of the Year honors with a silver medal on Board 2, while Kyla Dalagan secured a silver on Board 4.
In the women’s division, De La Salle finished as runner-up after edging the dethroned back-to-back champions FEU in the final round. Woman National Master Rinoa Sadey (Board 3) and Checy Telesforo (Board 5) both won gold medals.
Meanwhile, Lovely Geraldino (Board 6) and Woman National Master Francois Magpily (Board 1) took silver and bronze, respectively.
FEU placed third in the women’s division with gold medal performances from Samantha Umayan (Board 2), Franchesca Largo (Board 4), and Joyce Rueda (Board 6), along with silver medals from Woman FIDE Master April Joy Claros (Board 3) and Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (Board 5).
Despite finishing fourth overall, UST’s Jamaica Lagrio (Board 2), Rohanisah Buto (Board 4), Princes Oncita (Board 5), and Nathalie Liscano (Board 6) all secured bronze medals. Ateneo de Manila University’s Alphecca Gonzales claimed bronze on Board 3, while Adamson University’s Robelle de Jesus took silver on the top board.
