University of Santo Tomas successfully secured a ‘three-peat’ in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Championships by virtually clinching the championship with a 4-0 victory over Adamson University on Saturday at the FEU Tech Gym in Manila.
With 16 match points under its belt, UST established a sufficient cushion in the tiebreaker against its closest pursuer, Ateneo de Manila University, currently at 14 match points.
This scenario mirrors Season 85, where the defending champions also secured the title as early as Round 9.
The Male Woodpushers have now claimed three consecutive championships and their 10th overall.
Melito Ocsan Jr. [7/9] boosted his MVP aspirations by scoring his seventh point, taking down John Rocel Simon [1/8] in just 23 moves of the Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated while playing the white pieces on Board 2.
National Master Chester Reyes [8.5/9] similarly dominated on Board 3, forcing Jolar Ballobar [0.5/6] to resign after just 30 moves due to a genius tactical play that compelled his rival to surrender a full rook.
FIDE Master Christian Daluz [5/8] and National Master Julius Gonzales [6/8] followed suit with wins over Arena FIDE Master Alfonzo Olendo [1/9] and John Frederick Sunga [1.5/8] on Boards 1 and 4, respectively.
Ateneo also secured a second-place finish after narrowly defeating Season 85 runner-up University of the Philippines, 2.5-1.5 in Round 9.
National Master Jasper Faeldonia [4/8] and Christopher Kis-ing [4.5/9] each secured a full point against Arena International Master Cyrus Francisco [3.5/9] and Melson Gallo [2.5/5] on Boards 2 and 3, respectively, while Paul Matthew Llanillo [4.5/5] held FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan [7.5/9] to a draw to secure Ateneo’s sixth win.
Michael Olladas [3/6] gave UP a boost after prevailing over Tristan Cervero [4/8] on Board 4.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University inched closer to a podium finish after a 2.5-1.5 result against De La Salle University.
National Master Christian Olaybal [5.5/8] and Arena International Master Jarvey Labanda [1/3] led the way with wins over Daniel John Lemi [3.5/9] and Kris Oswald Olvido [3.5/8] on Boards 3 and 4, respectively.
FIDE Master Jeth Morado [6/9] then settled for a draw with National Master Cyril Telesoforo [6.5/9] on Board 2 to secure DLSU’s victory as Hans Olorosisimo [2/8] succumbed to Jester Sistoza [1.5/5] on the top board.
FEU is currently tied with UP in match points but holds a slight advantage in the tiebreaker.
The final round will be played on Sunday, November 19.
