University of Santo Tomas achieved its second straight win with a near-shutout 3.5-0.5 triumph over Adamson University in Round 3 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Chess Tournament on Saturday at the Adamson Gym.
After a perfect start, UST is beginning to establish a significant gap from the rest of the league, courtesy of back-to-back outstanding performances.
“Okay naman ang performance ng team. So far, so good yun although mahaba pa yan syempre. Malayo pa pero lamang na kami. Siguro sana pagpalain ng Diyos ibigay samin ang championship ulit,” shared UST head coach Ronald Dableo on his team’s early-season surge.
Reigning MVP and FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz (2/2) spearheaded UST’s dominance by prevailing in a queen versus rook and bishop endgame against John Rocel Simon (1/2) on Board 1.
Chester Reyes (2/2) followed suit on Board 2, defeating Joshua Roque (0/2) after 42 moves of an English Opening while playing the black pieces.
On Board 3, Lee Roi Palma (2/2) stunned Adamson’s Robert Palisoc (0/2) by sacrificing a rook in panic time to turn an equal position into a decisive mating attack, while Mark Reyes (0.5/1) and Dustin Herrero (0.5/2) split the points on Board 4.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the women’s division, De La Salle University continued to hold the top spot with a narrow 2.5-1.5 win over Adamson, courtesy of Rinoa Sadey (3/3) and Checy Telesforo (1/1) on Board 3 and Board 4, respectively.
Woman National Master Francois Magpily’s (1.5/3) draw with Robelle de Jesus (1.5/3) on the top board completed the scoreline, while Juzeia Agne (1/2) fell to Adamson’s Ma. Christina Samarita (1.5/3) on Board 2.
National University kept pace with La Salle after a similar 2.5-1.5 win over Ateneo de Manila University.
Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (3/3) scored her third straight win after a 49-move conquest of Jiessel Marino (1.5/4) on the top board, while Queen Rose Pamplona (1/1) dispatched Ateneo’s Francine Magpily (1/2) on Board 4.
Kyla Dalagan’s (1.5/2) draw on Board 3 with Alphecca Gonzales (1.5/4) secured NU’s third consecutive win.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Defending champion Far Eastern University also bounced back from an opening-day loss with a perfect 4-0 walloping of the University of the Philippines (UP) to stay within striking distance in third place.
Woman FIDE Master April Joy Carlos (1.5/2), Francesca Largo (2.5/3), Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (2/2), and Joyce Rueda (1/1) all defeated their respective opponents to register FEU’s second win of the season.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the men’s division, Ateneo climbed to a tie for second with a dominant 3-1 thrashing of archrival La Salle.
Cedric Abris (1/2), Arena FIDE Master Ritchie Abeleda (2/2), and Christopher Kis-ing (1/1) highlighted Ateneo’s romp with wins on Board 1, 3, and 4, respectively.
Meanwhile, UP held FEU to a draw to tie Ateneo for second place.
Arena FIDE Master Io Calica (1.5/2) and Arena International Master John Rydel Ventures (0.5/1) split points with FEU’s FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (1.5/2) and Franklin Andes (0.5/1) on Board 1 and Board 4, respectively.
UP’s Daniel Tagufa (2/2) and FEU’s Lemuel Adena (1/1) then scored wins on the remaining boards to conclude the draw.
