Far Eastern University-Diliman is now just one match away from securing another double championship in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, following dominant victories in Round 7 of the UAAP Season 87 High School Chess Tournaments at the Adamson Gym on Saturday.
In the boys’ division, the Baby Tamaraws remained undefeated with a perfect 4-0 rout of Ateneo High School, reaching 12 match points—four points ahead of their nearest competitor for the title.
On Board 1, Oscar Cantela (5/6) easily secured his 5th point, forcing Ateneo’s Aidan Mejia (0.5/5) to resign after just 25 moves in the English Opening.
Jerish John Velarde (5.5/6) followed up with a 36-move checkmate on Jose Pio Caro (1/4) on Board 2, while Franklin Andes (3/4) forced Arena FIDE Master Ronell Co (2.5/5) to resign after the 37th move, unleashing an unstoppable mating attack on Board 3.
Lemuel Adena (5/5) completed the sweep by defeating Ateneo’s Luis Gutierrez (2.5/5) on Board 4.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the girls’ division, Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino (6/6) led FEU-D to its sixth win in seven matches, defeating National University Nazareth School 3-1.
The 16-year-old prodigy continued her flawless run with a seventh straight victory, outlasting Arena FIDE Master Ryien Bahita (0/3) on Board 2 after 49 moves in the Queen’s Pawn Opening.
April Joy Carlos (6/6) followed suit on Board 3, leaving Sara Dalagan (2.5/5) helpless by the 52nd move with a series of impending queening pawns.
Franiel Magpily (2/3) used a 25th-move bishop sacrifice to gain a material advantage over Kayla Aurelio (0/2), which she never relinquished, securing the victory on Board 4.
Jersey Marticio (4.5/6) avoided a shutout loss, defeating Kate Ordizo (3.5/6) on Board 1 to hand her a second consecutive loss.
Adamson University also moved closer to a podium finish in the girls’ division with a dominant 4-0 victory over De La Salle Zobel.
Lira M. Placer (2.5/5), Christen Reyes (3/4), Florence Isabedra (2.5/5), and Ma. Christina Samarita (4/5) each scored wins over Mariel Solis (0/4), Franchesca Icay (0/4), Ayana Montes (0/4), and Jeslyn Santos (0/5), respectively.
Adamson is currently in third place with six match points, two points ahead of fourth-ranked NUNS.
In the boys’ division, the University of Santo Tomas kept its championship hopes alive with a 2.5-1.5 win over Adamson in Round 8.
Karlycris Clarito Jr. (3.5/5) and John Cyrus Borce (2.5/3) each registered wins for UST, overcoming Jonver Acosta (2.5/6) and Jian Bautista (2/6) on Boards 2 and 3, respectively.
Jian Rivera (3/5) ensured the victory for the Junior Tiger Woodpushers by securing a draw against Bryce Bayani (3/4) on Board 4.
Adamson’s lone win in Round 7 came from Allan Dolfo (3/6), who outwitted Sumer Oncita (2/4) on Board 1.
The rounds for both the boys’ and girls’ divisions will continue today, Sunday.
