Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino makes her collegiate women’s division debut for Far Eastern University as the UAAP Season 89 Chess Championships opens on Saturday at the BGPOP Building in UST, Manila, with the Lady Tamaraws and defending champions University of Santo Tomas Male Woodpushers headlining the early title picture.
Canino, the three-time UAAP girls’ MVP who recently represented the Philippines at the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, joins former women’s MVP Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian as FEU looks to reclaim the crown after narrowly losing to National University last season.
“May halo pong kaba since this is my debut sa college, and as a rookie, I aim to contribute lang talaga sa team. Kahit na madami na akong nasalihan na international events, ibang-iba tlaga ang UAAP for me since I don’t only represent myself; I also represent the school,” shared Canino.
“Nilolook forward ko na there’s no easy game talaga. Every round is a championship round kasi iba na ang playing style ng high school and college, so I will just do my best every round. Also, I trust my teammates, and I really hope we will get the championship back sa FEU.”
Her collegiate debut also sets up a reunion with former UAAP high school rival Woman National Master Sara Dalagan, who will spearhead NU’s bid to retain the women’s championship.
On the men’s side, UST begins its pursuit of a sixth consecutive title against FEU in the marquee matchup of the opening round, renewing a rivalry that saw the España-based squad capture its fifth straight crown and 12th overall title last season.
Season 88 MVP Chester Reyes returns to lead UST’s title defense alongside Board 3 gold medalist Lee Roi Palma, while FEU, which finished second last season, looks to spoil the defending champions’ opening-day campaign.
UST also enters the high school tournament as the defending champion in both divisions.
The España-based squad, which dethroned four-time defending champion FEU-D last season, opens against UAAP newcomer Southridge School behind returning Season 88 MVP Gabriel Paradero, as well as silver medalists King Lanz Pamplona and Jian Carlo Rivera.
In the girls’ division, UST begins its title defense against Ateneo with returning standouts Angel Po and Iana Sotaridona, who delivered key board victories during the squad’s championship-clinching run last season.
All matches will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the BGPOP Building in UST.
