After Far Eastern University clinched the title in the women’s division in the previous round, it was University of Santo Tomas’ turn to seal the deal, annexing the men’s division championship with a 3.5-0.5 thrashing of Adamson University in the penultimate round of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Chess Tournament at the Adamson Gym on Saturday.
The Tiger Woodpushers secured their fourth straight championship with eight wins and a single loss, accumulating 16 match points—two points ahead of second-ranked University of the Philippines, which has 12 match points.
FIDE Master Christian Daluz (8.5/9) once again led the way in Round 11, continuing his flawless run with an impressive eighth win in nine rounds. He forced Adamson’s John Frederick Sunga (0/6) to resign after the 40th move, which left Sunga without a queen in the impending sequence.
On Board 2, Chester Reyes (6/7) extended his streak with his sixth straight win, defeating Vince Arellano (1/6) in a 53-move rook endgame. Fellow Tiger Lee Roi Palma (3/4) dominated Alfonso Olendo (0/6) on Board 3, winning in less than 20 moves with a devastating kingside attack.
Jan Clifford Labog (3.5/5) rounded out the scoreline with a draw against ADU’s Joshua Roque (2/7) on Board 4.
On the women’s side, Far Eastern University moved just a win away from completing an undefeated season after a 3.5-0.5 domination of UST in the penultimate round.
The newly crowned back-to-back champions relied on Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian (7.5/11) to showcase her endgame genius, outmaneuvering Josemier Panol (5.5/10) in 59 moves of a pawn endgame.
Franchesca Largo (6/8) bounced back from a Round 12 loss with a brilliant performance under pressure against UST’s Rohanish Buto (1.5/8) to win on Board 3. Rhea Canino (1.5/2) returned from a nine-round absence to secure a point over Christine Tabungar (1/6) on Board 4.
Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (9.5/11) completed the victory with a draw against Precious Yecla (5.5/11) on Board 2.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University snapped a two-round slide with a much-needed 3.5-0.5 win over National University, leapfrogging their opponents for the second spot heading into the final round.
La Salle’s Sara Olendo (4/10), Rinoa Sadey (6.5/11), and Checy Telesforo (5.5/9) each scored victories over Queen Rose Pamplona (3.5/8), Natasja Balabbo (7/10), and Princess Ballete (2.5/5), respectively. Woman National Master Francois Magpily (7/11) settled for a draw with NU’s Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (5.5/10).
University of the Philippines secured at least a third-place finish after drawing with FEU, 2-2, in the men’s division.
Cyrus Francisco (4.5/9) gave UP its only win in Round 9, defeating FIDE Master John Merill Jacutina (4/8). Roderenz Adra (5.5/9) and Io Aristotle Calica (6.5/9) finished with draws against FIDE Master Jeth Romy Morado (1.5/4) and Christian Olaybal (2/5), respectively.
FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (6.5/8) asserted his dominance with a victory over UP’s FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan (5/9) to complete the final scoreline.
La Salle also triumphed in the men’s division, defeating archrival Ateneo de Manila University, 2.5-1.5, to vie for the last podium spot with FEU in their final-round showdown.
Angele Biete (6/8) and Daniel John Lemi (6/9) led the Archers to victories over Romeo Canino (3/8) and Knarf Batislaong (3/9), while Jester Sistoza (3/5) secured La Salle’s Round 9 win with a draw against Christopher Kis-ing (3.5/9).
Cyril Telesforo (3/9) was the lone casualty for La Salle, losing to Paul Matthew Llanillo (3/9) on the top board.
In the other women’s division match, UP concluded its Season 87 campaign on a high note with a 3-1 thrashing of Adamson.
Jarel Lacambra (3/7), Jallen Agra (6/11), and Raiza Locmayoan (4.5/10) each scored full points against Angela San Luis (1.5/11), Christine Hernandez (0/6), and Zheileen Jain (0/6), respectively.
Robelle de Jesus (6/8) claimed Adamson’s only win of the round by defeating Sofia Alcala (0/2).
The schedule for the final round will be announced in the coming days.
