Defending champion University of Santo Tomas made an emphatic start to its UAAP high school chess title defense, delivering near-perfect performances on Saturday at the BGPOP Building on UST’s Manila campus.
The Junior Male Woodpushers swept guest team Southridge, 4-0, while their female counterparts fashioned a 3.5-0.5 victory over Ateneo High School to give UST a pair of rousing opening-round wins.
Jian Carlo Rivera [1.0/1.0], National Master Gabriel Paradero [1.0/1.0], Jude Dableo [1.0/1.0], and Marlon Balbaboco Jr. [1.0/1.0] swept their respective boards against Romeo Reyes III [0.0/1.0], Arena FIDE Master Carl Nathan Importante [0.0/1.0], Gael Garcia [0.0/1.0], and Romeo Funtila [0.0/1.0] to complete UST’s romp in the boys’ division.
Over in the girls’ division, Penelope Sanchez [1.0/1.0] and Gilasea Hilario [1.0/1.0] delivered full points on Boards 2 and 4, respectively, against Serenity Pesino [0.0/1.0] and Caitlyn Oh [0.0/1.0].
Kara Meneses [0.5/1.0] then split the point with Mikayla Tusi [0.5/1.0] on Board 3, while Angela Sotaridona [1.0/1.0] won by default on Board 1 against Sapphire Abaño [0.0/1.0] to complete UST’s 3.5-point haul.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Adamson University likewise enjoyed a dominant opening round, sweeping De La Salle Zobel, 4-0, in both the Boys’ and Girls’ divisions.
In the boys’ division, Allan Dolfo [1.0/1.0], Ashton Fratkin [1.0/1.0], Jian Bautista [1.0/1.0], and Bince Operiano [1.0/1.0] turned back Gian Marco Caguiat [0.0/1.0], Kervin Dominguez [0.0/1.0], Collin Chiong [0.0/1.0], and Kenzie Ong [0.0/1.0], respectively.
Crystal Sunga [1.0/1.0], Athena Casas [1.0/1.0], Samantha Mislang [1.0/1.0], and Reianah Dueñas [1.0/1.0] replicated the feat in the girls’ division with victories over Sophia Orosa [0.0/1.0], Sarah Cabodil [0.0/1.0], Xophi Holgado [0.0/1.0], and Jeslyn Santos [0.0/1.0], respectively.
Far Eastern University-Diliman completed the trio of opening-round winners in the Boys’ Division after dispatching Ateneo High School, 3.5-0.5.
National Master Joemel Narzabal [1.0/1.0], National Master Angelo Mallorca [1.0/1.0], and Arena International Master Lord Yofiel Young [1.0/1.0] delivered full points for FEU-D against Arena International Master Marc Fua [0.0/1.0], Arena FIDE Master Ronell Co [0.0/1.0], and Bryan Landicho [0.0/1.0], respectively.
King Xyan Beltran [0.5/1.0] supplied the remaining half-point after drawing Arena International Master Joachim Manuel [0.5/1.0] on Board 2.
FEU-D also emerged victorious in the Girls’ Division after edging National University, 2.5-1.5.
Woman National Master Bonjoure Suyamin [1.0/1.0] defeated Mica Clar [0.0/1.0] on Board 2, while Giecel Pacubat [1.0/1.0] delivered another full point against Thea Clar [0.0/1.0] on Board 4.
Khana Ventolero [0.5/1.0] split the point with Arena International Master Zneria Venal [0.5/1.0] on Board 3, while Arena FIDE Master Ryien Bahita [1.0/1.0] accounted for NU’s lone victory after defeating LJ Getubig [0.0/1.0] on Board 1.
Round 2 matches are ongoing as of publishing.
