After kicking off the season with a resounding upset of defending champions Far Eastern University-Diliman, the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups maintained their lethal form with a 4-0 conquest of Adamson University in Round 3 of the UAAP Season 87 High School Chess Tournament, Saturday at the Adamson Gym.
Despite a string of impressive victories, NUNS head coach Roel Abelgas remains cautious, tempering championship expectations with the season still in its early stages.
“Mahaba pa yung season eh. Pero syempre iba yung may advantage ka kahit papano. Yun yung nakikita ko diyan. After ng UST kasi, makikita na natin kung may chance talaga magchampion kasi iikot pa eh. Pare-parehas naman may chance pa. Ang FEU meron pa rin naman chance yan kasi dadaan pa kami ulit sa kanila,” said Abelgas as they prepare to battle Ateneo de High School and University of Santo Tomas in Round 4.
Sarah Dalagan (2/2) set the tone for the Jhocson-based squad with a stellar performance on the top board while playing the black pieces, using crafty knight maneuvers to create a passed pawn on the c-file and force resignation by the 33rd move against Florence Isabedra (1/2).
On Board 2, Arena FIDE Master Ryien Bahita (2/2) delivered a 36-move masterpiece against Adamson’s Mikhaela Salvo (0/1), taking the win via a knight sacrifice that forced an unstoppable mating attack by the 38th move.
Kayla Aurelo (1.5/2) and Arena FIDE Master Yaneah Morada (1/1) rounded out NUNS’ shutout win, defeating Antonett Atienza (0/2) and Crystal Sunga (1/2) on Board 3 and Board 4, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the boys’ division, the University of Santo Tomas also impressed by handing defending champion Far Eastern University its first match loss, 2.5-1.5, since the introduction of the match point system in Season 86.
With three board matches ending in a draw, John Borce (1/1) played hero for the Junior Male Woodpushers, displaying tactical brilliance to convert a drawish rook endgame into a win against King Beltran (0/1) on Board 3.
De La Salle Zobel also tallied its first match point in the boys’ division this season with a 2-2 draw against Ateneo, courtesy of wins by Tyrhone Tabernilla (2/2) and Collin Chiong (1/1) on Board 1 and Board 4, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Katipunan-based squad settled for the draw, with Arena International Master Marc Fua (2/2) and Arena FIDE Master Ronnell Co (1/1) also recording victories against Santino Edralin (0/2) and Kervin Dominguez (0/2), respectively.
The Junior Lady Green Woodpushers duplicated the feat, snapping a three-season dry spell with a 2-2 draw against newcomers Ateneo.
Francesca Icay (1/2, Board 1) and Sarah Cabodil (1/1, Board 3) booked wins for La Salle, while Mikayla Tusi (1/1, Board 2) and Helena Choi (1/2, Board 4) secured full points for Ateneo.
In the other girls’ division match, FEU-D bounced back from its opening-day loss with a 2.5-1.5 victory over UST.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino (1/2) and Ericka Ordizo (1.5/2) led the way for the defending champions with commanding victories on Board 1 and Board 2 against Daren Dela Cruz (0/1) and Trina Temple (1/2).
Lyn Getubig (1.5/2) salvaged a draw in the final game against Iana Sotaridona (0.5/1) on Board 3 to ensure FEU-D’s triumph, while LJ Getubig (0/1) faltered against UST’s Mecel Gadut (2/2) on Board 4.
Round 4 and Round 5 are scheduled for today, October 5.
