MANILA, Philippines – The Far Eastern University (FEU) chess team led the way in all divisions (Juniors’, Senior Men’s and Women’s) in the 1st round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team championships.

“Our hard work has paid off but [we] still [have] long way to go,” said FEU head coach two-time Olympian member Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales on Sunday.

“I believe, unprecedented na leading ang isang school sa isang event matapos ang first round ng UAAP chess,” he added.

The Lady Tamaraws, which is composed of Ronna Reigner Senora, Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena, WNM Rulp Ylem Jose and Jenny Rose Palomo, blanked the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 4-0. They tallied a total output of 18.5 points.

The UE team, meanwhile, is composed of Mersky Peque, Chrizel Yson, Janine Krishna and Jessica Viscato.

“Inspirado po kaming maglaro kasi grabe ang suporta ng management/officials ng Far Eastern University sa mga athletes,” said top board player Senora, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday.

“Ito na siguro ang isa sa magandang regalo sa birthday ko, leading kami sa UAAP chess matapos ang 1st round,” added the General Santos City native, the country’s 16-and-under representative in the 2008 ASEAN age group chess championships in Danang, Vietnam.

FEU assistant coach National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa commented: “Mahirap din yung mag-No.1 ka pagkatapos ng 1st round. Lahat ng team ay nakatutok sayo. Kaya doble handa talaga ang gagawin namin ni coach GM Jayson (Gonzales). Pero sa isang banda iba na syempre yung nakalalamang ng puntos at hawak mo ‘yung momentum.”

Sustained momentum

In the men’s side, three-peat champion FEU turned back host school University of Santo Tomas (UST), 2.5-1.5, to catch the latter in the leadership boards.

FEU and UST both tallied a total 20 points. However, FEU took the top spot at the end of the 1st round after the tiebreak points.

Lyndon Sombilon and Luffe Magdalaga carried the fight for the Morayta-based school after beating UST’s Joey Alberto Florendo and Jude Emil Fronda on board 1 and 3, respectively. Sheider Nebato settled a truce with Gerald Ferriol on board 2. UST’s full point was scored by Patrick Florendo, who brought downed Antonio Chavez, Jr. on board 4.

“Masaya na kami matapos ang 1st round kasi ka tie namin ang 3-peat champion FEU,” said another birthday celebrant Peter Lim, member of the UST coaching staff which includes 2003 Vungtau, Vietnam 3.2 Asian Zonal champion GM-elect Ronald Dableo and NM/FIDE arbiter Winston Silva.

In the Juniors’ side, it was a neck-to-neck battle between two-time defending champion Baby Falcons and Baby Tamaraws who both finished with a total of 18.5 points.

FEU took the No. 1 spot after edging Adamson University in tiebreak points. FEU downed Ateneo de Manila University, 2.5-1.5, while Adamson blasted UST, 4-0, to share lead at the end of the 1st round.

“Okay na din ‘yung mag-No. 2 matapos ang first round, kasi pag nag No. 1 ka sa 1st round ay bye ka sa pagsisimula ng 2nd round next weekend. Para hindi maputol ang momentum,” said Baby Falcons head coach candidate master Christopher Rodriguez.

International arbiter/NM Eliao Lao is the tournament chief arbiter. – by Marlon Bernardino

First Half of UAAP Chess

Senior Women’s
18.5 points---FEU
17 points---ADMU
12.5 points---DLSU
11.5 points---UP
9 points---NU
8 points---UST
7.5 points---UE

Senior Men’s
20 points---FEU (superior tie break)
20 points---UST
17 points---UE
13.5 points---UP
13 points---DLSU
11 points---ADU
11 points---NU
6.5 points---ADMU

Juniors’
18.5 points---FEU (superior tie break)
18.5 points---ADU
16 points---UE
13.5 points---NU
13 points---ADMU
3 points---UST
1.5 points---DLS-Z