MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Far Eastern University (FEU) defeated host University of Santo Tomas (UST), 4-0, to remain on top in the juniors’ division of the 72nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team championships.

The chess matches were held at the UST’s new Tan Yan Kee Student Center in España, Manila on Sunday.

The Baby Tamaraws, who are playing under the tutelage of Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales, is composed of Paul Robert Evangelista, Vince Angelo Medina, Mc Dominique Lagula and Jose Carlo Castro.

Evangelista downed UST’s Maria Leonora Daylo after 42 moves of Sicilian defense on board 1 and Medina beat Nico Adriel Paguagan after 39 moves of another Sicilian on board 2.

Lagula defeated Dustin Padilla after 18 moves of Pirc defense on board 3 while Castro outplayed John Michael Yao after 28 moves of another Sicilian skirmish on board 4.

After five rounds of action, the Morayta-based squad tallied a total of 14 points.

“Still a long way to go, pero maganda ‘yong nakakauna na.” said FEU head coach GM Jayson Gonzales.

“Inspirado ang mga bata, maganda kasi ang suporta nina [FEU] President Anton Montinola, [FEU athletic director] Sir Mark Molina, at [FEU-FERN Directress] Dr. Miriam Garcia,” he added.

Gonzales helped the Tamaraws snatch the overall championships in the12th Rakan Muda GACC (Grand ASEAN Chess Challenge) World Inter-Varsity Chess Championships 2007 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Assistant coach is National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa.

Momentum

Back-to-back champions Adamson Baby Falcons under coach Christopher Rodriguez, meantime, ended into a 2-2 draw over the University of the East Junior Warriors of coach Henry Mariano.

The Baby Falcons are still in 2nd place with 12.5 points followed by the Junior Warriors with 12 points.

Ali Guya and Jesse Abucejo combined forces for the Baby Falcons beating Bryan Barcelon and Chessa May Nadera on board 2 and 4 while NM Alcon John Datu and Woman National Master (WNM) Christy Lamiel Bernales provided the twin kill for the Junior Warriors after nipping Timothy John So-Kua and Steven James Dacanay on board 1 and 3, respectively.

The Ateneo de Manila Blue Eaglets, meanwhile, blanked the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 4-0. They are currently in 4th place with 10.5 points. The Bullpups took a bye on Saturday.

In the senior men’s category, UST defeated Ateneo, 4-0, to remain on top with 16.5 points.

“Sana mahawakan namin ang momentum,” said GM Ronald Dableo, NM Winston Silva and Peter Lim, members of the coaching staff of the Growling Tigers.

Three-time champion FEU, on the other hand, salvaged a 2-2 draw over University of the Philippines coach FIDE Master (FM) Leonardo Carlos. The Tamaraws are still in 2nd place with 13.5 points.

In other results, UE beat ADU, 3.5-0.5, while DLSU defeated NU, 3.5-0.5.

In the distaff side, the Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Maroons, 4-0, to remain at the No. 1 position with 14.5 points. – by Marlon Bernardino

Team Standings after Round 5:

Juniors’ division
14 points--- FEU
12.5 points---ADU
12 points---UE
10.5 points--- ADMU
6.5 points---NU
3 points---UST
1.5 points---DLS-Zobel

Senior men’s division
16.5 points---UST
13.5 points---FEU
12.5 points---UE
10 points---DLSU
8 points---UP
7 points---ADU
7 points---NU
5.5 points---ADMU

Senior women’s division
14.5 points---ADMU
11.5 points---FEU
9 points---DLSU
7.5 points---UP
7.5 points---NU
5 points---UST
5 points--UE