Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) moved one match point away from securing a four-peat after dominating Far Eastern University (FEU), 3-1, in Round 8 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Chess Tournament on Sunday at the Adamson gym.
The Male Woodpushers of UST now need only a draw in the next round to clinch this season’s title, improving to 14 match points.
Chester Reyes (5/6) stole the spotlight in Round 8, prevailing over Dale Bernardo (3.5/6) on Board 2 after 78 moves in a knights endgame.
On Board 3, former league MVP Melito Ocsan Jr. (6/7) secured UST’s second point with a victory over Istraelito Rilloraza (3/5) in 61 moves of a Sicilian Defense.
FIDE Master Christian Daluz (7.5/8) and Julius Gonzales (2.5/4) both drew with FEU’s FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (5.5/7) and Christian Olaybal (1.5/4), respectively, to seal the commanding victory for UST.
In the women’s division, league-leading FEU settled for a 2-2 draw with the University of the Philippines (UP) in Round 11 but remained on top with 16 match points.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On Board 3, Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan (6.5/8) executed a tricky tactical play on the 45th move that forced UP’s Precious Ferrer (2/9) to resign shortly after.
Francheska Largo (5/6) followed with a bishop sacrifice that rendered Raiza Locmayoan (2.5/8) queenless in the next move, giving FEU its second win on Board 4.
On Board 1, Jarel Lacambra (1.5/5) pulled off an upset over Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian (5.5/9), while fellow Lady Maroon Jerlyn San Diego (5.5/8) snapped Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas’ (8/9) eight-game winning streak with a victory on Board 2.
UP also had a successful Round 8 in the men’s division, securing a crucial 3-1 win over Ateneo de Manila University to move into solo second place.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan (5/8) dominated Paul Matthew Llanilo (2/8) on Board 1, while rookie Roderenz Adra (5/8) defeated Christopher Kis-ing (3/8) on Board 3.
Undefeated Io Aristotle Calica (6/8) added a third point for UP with a win over Knarf Batislaong (3/8) on Board 4, while Cyrus Francisco (3.5/8) fell to Romeo Canino (3/7) on Board 2.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Ateneo defeated archrival De La Salle University 3-1 in the women’s division, taking over the second spot with 12 match points.
Ma. Elayza Villa (8/10), Lexie Hernandez (8/10), and Alphecca Gonzales (4.5/7) all secured victories for Ateneo against Sara Olendo (3/8), Rinoa Sadey (5.5/9), and Checy Telesforo (4/7), respectively.
Francois Magpily (6/9) was the lone bright spot for La Salle, defeating Kristine Flores (3/8) on Board 1.
National University (NU) also triumphed in Round 10 of the women’s division, overpowering Adamson University 3-1 to keep its championship hopes alive with 12 match points.
Queen Rose Pamplona (3/6), Natasja Balabbo (6/8), and Jelaine Adriano (4/5) earned victories over Christine Hernandez (0/5), Zheileen Jain (0/5), and Mariane Flora (0/6), respectively.
Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (5.5/9) sealed NU’s victory with a draw against Angela San Luis (1.5/10) on the top board.
In the men’s division, La Salle achieved a 4-0 shutout victory over Adamson, keeping its hopes for a podium finish alive in fourth place.
Cyril Telesforo (3/8), Angele Biete (5/7), Jester Sistoza (2.5/4), and Daniel John Lemi (5/8) all earned full points against John Frederick Sunga (0/5), Vince Arellano (1/5), Alfonzo Olendo (0/5), and John Rocel Simon (1/7), respectively.
Round 12 of the women’s division is scheduled for Wednesday, while the penultimate round of the men’s division will resume on Saturday.
