National University closed the gap on league-leading De La Salle University after a resounding 4-0 sweep of Adamson University in Round 8 of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Collegiate Chess Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson Gym.
Led by Woman FIDE Master Allanney Doroy, the Lady Bulldogs tied La Salle with 13 match points and trailed by only half a point in the board points tiebreaker, putting them in prime position to contend for this season’s title.
“We’re very comfortable compared to how it used to be. Kasi we did our goal naman talaga na at least we will compete hard to get the championship. And right now, we’re on the right track because we are in a tie with La Salle,” shared Aquino.
“Ang pinakacrucial namin ay going up against them (La Salle) pero bago sila FEU muna kaya medyo crucial pa rin. Everybody’s game pa rin pero right now, I’m very happy. We’re very happy with our campaign so far.”
On Board 1, Doroy (7/7) stretched her unbeaten run to seven, punishing Ma. Christina Samarita’s (1.5/6) 31st-move blunder to go up a piece and force resignation after the 33rd move.
Jersey Marticio (5.5/7) also scored on Board 2 after a 30th-move rook sacrifice led to a mating attack that forced Phoebie Arellano (0.5/6) to resign on move 32.
Jelaine Adriano (1.5/4) contributed with her first win of the season, while Yana De Vera (2/3) scored her second straight win to complete the sweep.
La Salle also emerged victorious in Round 8, thrashing University of the Philippines 3-1 to maintain a slim tiebreak lead over NU.
Woman National Master Riinoa Sadey (5.5/7) and Checy Telesforo (3.5/4) sustained their fine form with wins on Board 2 and Board 4, respectively, while Woman National Master Francois Magpily (4/7) and Heart Padilla (3.5/5) settled for draws.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In Round 6 of the men’s division, defending champion University of Santo Tomas avenged its previous round loss with a 2.5-1.5 triumph over the Tamaraws.
Lee Roi Palma (4.5/6) miraculously recovered from a drawish position on Board 3 by executing a fork after National Master Oscar Cantela’s (1/4) 60th-move blunder, abruptly sealing the game.
Mark Gerald Reyes (1.5/2) secured UST’s second win after sacrificing his queen for a rook and knight against Christian Olaybal (2.5/5), demonstrating superior endgame technique in a grueling 52-move battle on Board 4.
Chester Reyes (5/6) capped the match with a draw against Jerish John Velarde (2.5/4) on Board 2 to finalize the scoreline.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo also climbed to second place after Round 6, thanks to a decisive 3-1 win over UP.
Cedric Abris (4/6) and Christopher Kis-ing (4/5) scored full points to set the tone, while Eowyn Jullado (0.5/3) and Arena FIDE Master Ritchie Abeleda (3.5/6) drew on Board 1 and Board 3, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
La Salle also notched a second straight match win in the men’s division with a repeat 3-1 victory over Adamson.
In the other women’s division match, UST held defending champion FEU to a 2-2 draw, powered by Jamaica Lagrio’s (3.5/7) rousing win over Woman FIDE Master April Joy Carlos (2.5/4), putting the Lady Tamaraws’ title defense in jeopardy heading into the final six rounds.
