University of Santo Tomas put on a commanding display in the UAAP Season 88 Chess Championships on Sunday at the Adamson University Gym, capturing three of the four divisions.
In the girls’ division, UST saved its best performance for last, defeating National University Nazareth School in a must-win 3-1 finale to secure its first-ever championship in the category.
Trailing NUNS all season, the Junior Lady Woodpushers executed a surgical strategy in the final round.
“Sobrang saya ko ngayon kasi sobrang hirap gawin niyang double championship. Hindi namin talaga inexpect na ganun yung mangyayari pero very thankful kami na binigay sa amin. Deserve din naman ng mga bata. Tinrabaho nila hanggang dulo,” said UST coach Ronald Dableo.
Key contributors included Trina Temple (Board 2), who went undefeated from Round 6 onward, Angel Po (Board 3), Iana Sotaridona (Board 4), Kara Meneses (Board 5), and Daren Dela Cruz and Mecel Gadut, who added bronze on Boards 1 and 6, respectively.
Runner-up NUNS, needing only a draw to claim the title, had silver medalists Sara Dalagan (Board 1), Kayla Aurelio (Board 3), and Yaneah Morada (Board 5), with Ryien Bahita taking bronze on Board 2.
Four-peat seeking FEU-Diliman finished third, highlighted by Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino’s gold and MVP on Board 1.
“Bittersweet po talaga kasi hindi po talaga namin yung outcome na to. Malaki po siguro masaydo yung expectations namin. Yung goal po namin is apat na championship pero ngayon wala kaming nakuha. Pangit po talaga yung nangyari samin,” said Canino, who capped off her high school chess career with a third straight MVP title.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the men’s side, UST dominated the University of the Philippines, 3.5-0.5, to capture a fifth consecutive men’s title and 12th overall.
Chester Reyes led the Male Woodpushers, going undefeated in the final three rounds to claim gold on Board 2 and the season’s MVP award.
“Sobrang saya ko po and malaki siyang achievement sakin (champion and MVP) kasi kahit wala na yung mga senior teammates namin, nakayanan pa rin namin na magperform this season. Sana po magtuloy-tuloy pa,” said Reyes.
UST’s Lee Roi Palma (Board 3), Mark Reyes (Board 5), and Allan Hilario (Board 6) each added gold, while FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz took silver on the top board.
Far Eastern University finished second behind UST, with Marcojo (Board 1) earning gold, Lemuel Adena (Board 5) taking silver, and Jerish John Velarde (Board 2) and National Master Franklin Andes (Board 6) claiming bronze.
De La Salle University rounded out the podium, led by Rigil Pahamtang (Board 4, gold and Rookie of the Year), John Lance Valencia (Board 6, silver), and Cyril Telesforo (Board 3, bronze).
Other notable medalists included UP’s Io Calica and Daniel Tagufa (silver, Boards 2 and 3), Ateneo’s Ritchie Abeleda (silver, Board 4) and Christopher Kis-ing (bronze, Board 5), and Adamson’s John Rocel Simon (bronze, Board 1).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST also maintained an undefeated streak in the boys’ division, dethroning four-peat seeking FEU-Diliman in dominant fashion.
Arena International Master Gabriel Paradero led the charge, earning MVP honors despite a silver medal finish on Board 1.
“Hindi ko naexpect na ako yung MVP kasi natalo po ako ng last round. Nagulat po ako pero masaya pa rin po,” said Paradero.
Other standout performers included John Cyrus Borce (gold, Board 3), King Lanz Pamplona (silver, Board 2), Jian Carlo Rivera (silver, Board 4), Jude Dableo (silver, Board 5), and Sumer Oncita (silver, Board 6).
Four-peat seeking FEU-Diliman settled for runner-up with three golds, one silver, and two bronze medals, led by Lance Orlina (Board 4), Ralz Devibar (Board 5), and Quarl Vera Cruz (Board 6, also Rookie of the Year).
Adamson University finished third, highlighted by Allan Dolfo (gold, Board 2), with additional medals from Jonver Acosta, Jian Bautista, and Karl Ashton Fratkin.
National Master Tyrhone Tabernilla of De La Salle Zobel claimed gold on Board 1, while Ateneo High School’s Joachi Manuel took bronze on Board 6.
In the girls’ division, additional medalists included Ateneo’s Mikayla Tusi (bronze, Board 3), Adamson’s Mikhaela Salvo (silver, Board 2), Rookie of the Year Ma. Louise Penaverde (silver, Board 6), and Crystal Sunga (bronze, Board 4).
