UNIVERSITY of the Philippines managed to maintain its top spot after a 2-2 split with Ateneo de Manila University, while defending champion University of Santo Tomas also secured a nail-biting victory in Round 3 of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Chess Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson gym.
The Fighting Maroons remain the league leaders with four match points, just half a point ahead of the Male Woodpushers, which also has four match points but trails in total points scored.
The Diliman-based squad kept Ateneo de Manila University winless with a 2-2 tie after each team scored a win and two draws.
FIDE Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan (3/3) continued his perfect record on the top board, achieving a 58-move victory over Paul Llanillo (0/3) in a rook-versus-bishop endgame.
Roderenz Adra (1.5/3) and Arena Grandmaster Io Aristotle Calica (2/3) each settled for draws with Christopher Kis-ing (2/3) and Knarf Batislaong (1.5/3) on Boards 3 and 4, respectively.
Romeo Canino (1/3) secured a win for Ateneo after forcing Arena International Master Cyrus Francisco (1.5/3) to resign in just 25 moves of an Alekhine’s Defense while playing white on Board 2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Male Woodpushers, on the other hand, also experienced a heart-stopping finish with FIDE Master Christian Daluz’s (3/3) brilliant comeback helping UST bounce back from an upset loss last week.
They secured a close 2.5-1.5 victory over FEU, maintaining a tight grip on second place.
With the score tied at 1.5-1.5, Daluz rallied from a piece down to clinch victory after 76 moves in a rook endgame against FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (2/3) on Board 1.
Former league MVP and skipper Melito Ocsan Jr. (1.5/2) contributed another win for UST by defeating Dale Bernardo (0.5/2) on Board 2, while Lee Roi Palma (2/3) drew with FIDE Master John Merill Jacutina (2.5/3) on Board 3.
Christian Olaybal (1/1) secured the lone win for the Tamaraws against Julius Gonzales (0/1) on Board 4.
(C) NCFP
In the women’s division, Far Eastern University faced a tough match against UP, relying on debuting Rhea Jean Canino’s (0.5/1) nerves of steel to force a draw in a grueling four-hour marathon against Raiza Locmayoan (1/2).
This effort contributed to a 2.5-1.5 victory, keeping FEU atop the standings with six match points.
FEU came off back-to-back shutout victories before Canino played accurately, even while a pawn down in a rook and pawn endgame.
The match initially appeared to favor the Lady Tamaraws, as Woman National Masters Mhage Sebastian (3/3) and Vic Glysen Derotas (3/3) quickly scored victories over Jarel Lacambra (0.5/4) and Woman National Master Jerlyn San Diego (1/3) on Boards 1 and 2, respectively.
However, UP’s Jallen Agra (2/4) outplayed Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan (2/3) on Board 3, setting the stage for Canino’s heroic conversion against Locmayoan.
Adamson University made a breakthrough in the men’s division, finally securing a point with a 2-2 tie against De La Salle University.
John Rocel Simon (1/3) and Dustin Mackenzie (1/2) registered victories for the Falcons, defeating Daniel John Lemi (1.5/3) and John Lance Valencia (0/1) on Boards 3 and 4, respectively.
On Board 1, Cyril Telesforo (1/3) took down Adamson’s Vince Arellano (0/1), while Angele Biete (2.5/3) overcame Joshua Roque (0.5/3) on Board 2 to complete the split.
In other women’s division matches, the Lady Woodpushers of La Salle dispatched archrival Ateneo, 2.5-1.5, to reach six match points.
Rinoa Sadey (3/3) and Lovely Geraldino (1/1) emerged victorious against Jiessel Marino (0/2) and Glesit Tatoy (0/1) on Boards 3 and 4, respectively.
Francois Magpily’s (2.5/3) draw with Ma. Elayza Villa (2.5/4) on Board 1 ensured DLSU’s triumph, while Ateneo’s Lexie Hernandez (4/4) outclassed Arena Grandmaster Sara Olendo (1/3) on Board 2.
The National University Lady Bulldogs rebounded from a tough loss against the defending champions with a commanding 3-1 victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (2/3), Queen Rose Pamplona (1/2), and Natasja Balabbo (2/3) all secured wins against Angela San Luis (0.5/4), Christine Hernandez (0/1), and Mariane Flora (0/2) on Boards 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
Adamson’s Phoebie Arellano (2/4) prevented a shutout loss by defeating Princess Ballete (0/1) on Board 4.
Round 4 of the men’s division is set Sunday, while Round 5 of the women’s division will commence on the same day.
