Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas made strong opening statements in the high school and collegiate divisions, respectively, as the UAAP Season 87 Blitz Chess Championships kicked off, Sunday at the Adamson Gym.
Their performances mirrored their dominance in the rapid event that saw FEU win the women’s and boys’ divisions while UST took the men’s and girls’ side, establishing them as early frontrunners in the tournament.
The UST Male Woodpushers, fresh from their rapid chess title win, swept all their matches in the single-round robin elimination round, securing the top spot with 10 match points from five consecutive victories.
Jan Clifford Labog spearheaded UST’s campaign with a stellar performance, scoring at least three out of four points in each round and remaining unbeaten in five head-to-head matchups. He amassed an impressive 16.5 points out of a possible 20.
With their dominant run, UST enters the playoffs as the top seed and will face University of the Philippines in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, second-seeded FEU will take on third-placed De La Salle University in the men’s division.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the women’s division, UST also went unbeaten through five rounds, securing four consecutive wins to top the standings with eight match points.
Precious Yecla led the charge for the UST Female Woodpushers, overcoming three opponents and scoring at least three points per round to finish with 12.5 points out of 16.
Meanwhile, FEU-Diliman continued its dominant streak in the girls’ division, remaining undefeated through five rounds to finish with a perfect eight match points.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Woman FIDE Master April Joy Claros played a key role in FEU-D’s success, delivering a steady performance without dropping a single match. She tallied 10 points out of a possible 12, securing her team’s place in the finals against National University-Nazareth School.
In the boys’ division, the Baby Tamaraws edged out the Junior Male Woodpushers for the top spot.
Both teams finished with seven match points, courtesy of three wins and a draw, after their head-to-head matchup ended in a tie.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU-D, led by Franklin Andes, will now battle UST, spearheaded by FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, for the boys’ division championship.
Rounds 6 and 7 of the women’s division are set for Wednesday, April 3, while the semifinals and finals across all divisions will take place on April 6.
