National University completed a back-to-back in the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Chess Championships after eking out a tiebreaker against De La Salle University, Saturday at the FEU Tech Gym.
The Lady Bulldogs had to weather a final day hiccup to narrowly escape the Lady Green Woodpushers who tied them on total points with 29.5, but emerged on top of the match points tiebreaker.
The defending champions were limited to a 3.5-0.5 loss to Far Eastern University in the final round while DLSU scored a 3-1 win over UP to erase a 2.5-point lead.
“Down the wire talaga. Deciding yun (last match namin). Kailangan lang kasi namin ng 0.5. Eh natalo kami ng tatlo, naging isang player na lang. Lumamang pa yung La Salle. Grabe yung emosyon,” said NU coach Jose Aquino Jr., who was seen emotional after seeing Jesca Docena salvage a draw in Board 3 to ensure NU’s second straight championship. “Ito yung pinakamasaya (na championship). Hindi ko pa nga nagagawa dati yung pagtalon-talon ko dun after makuha ang championship.”
La Salle’s Francois Magpily won the Season 85 MVP award after going undefeated throughout the season compiling nine wins and three draws to also take the gold in Board 2.
“Gusto ko lang magthank you sa buong team, most especially sa coaches namin – sina Coach Susan and Coach Randy. Malaking tulong po talaga yung binigay nila sakin para makuha ko yung ganitong award,” shared Magpily upon receiving her award after a series of confusion during the awarding program. “Hindi ko talaga inexpect na mag-MVP ako. Even though nagsecond kami ngayon, malaking achievement na yun para sa team namin kasi nagstay kami sa podium. We will do better next season.”
Ateneo completed the podium cast after making a run in the last three rounds to leapfrog FEU and finish third overall.
DLSU dominated the medal haul in the top boards with Revita taking the gold in Board 1.
Season 85 co-Rookie of the Year Me Ann Baclayon settled for silver while UST’s Macydel Fajardo booked a bronze.
Magpily was joined by Season 84 MVP Allaney Doroy (NU) and Woman National Master Bea Mendoza (FEU) who nabbed the silver and bronze, respectively, in the Board 2 medal podium.
In Board 3, NU’s Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido bagged the gold, DLSU’s Irish Yngayo took the silver along with the Rookie of the Year award while FEU’s Divine Luna secured the bronze.
Ateneo’s Alexis Osena provided a steady presence all-season long for the Lady Eagle Woodpushers, finishing with gold in Board 4. She was joined by NU’s Jesca Docena (silver) and FEU’s Woman National Master Rizalyn Tejada (bronze) in the medal podium.
In Board 5, Ateneo’s Kristine Flores took the gold followed by UST’s Jamaica Lagrio with silver and NU’s Princess Ballete with bronze.
Rounding out the medalist are Bonalyn Ordino (AdU) and Jallen Agra (UP) who bagged the gold and silver, respectively, in Board 6. – Ed Ubaldo
