MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University (FEU) and Adamson University (AdU) won their respective matches to remain on top after the 10th round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team championships on Sunday.

The Tamaraws, mentored by Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales, scored a 3-1 victory over National University (NU) at the University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Tan Yan Kee Student Center in Espana, Manila.

FEU remain on top of the men's division with 31.5 points and continued to be in the running for a four-peat title.

Luffe Magdalaga and Antonio Chavez, Jr. carried the fight for the Morayta-based school after beating Christian Cagadas and Gerry Paul Nudalo in boards 2 and 3, respectively.

FEU’s Sheider Nebato and Kevin Morano settled for a draw against Reggie Mel Santiago and Norvin Gravillo in boards 1 and 4, in that order.

“Still a long way to go and we hope we can sustain our momentum going to the crucial round next weekend,” said FEU head coach, two-time Olympian Gonzales. Assistant coach is National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa.

UST, meanwhile, settled a 2-2 standoff against AdU for solo second place with 30.5 points.

“Babawi na lamang kami sa susunod na weekend,” said Peter Lim, member of the UST coaching staff which includes 2003 Vietnam 3.2a Asian zonal champion GM-elect Ronald Dableo and FIDE (World Chess Federation) arbiter/NM Winston Silva.

Women’s and juniors’ action

In the distaff side, the FEU Lady Tamaraws continued their sterling performance after beating University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 3-1.

Ronna Reigner Senora beat Kathleen Ann Mendoza in board 1, 2006 Doha Asian Games representative Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena crushed Merky Peque in board 2, while Rulp Ylem Jose smashed Chrizel Yson in board 3.

Jessica Visca saved the day for the Lady Warriors of coach Harold “Henry” Mariano after beating Jenny Rose Palomo in board 4 to prevent a possible shut-out loss.

The Lady Tamaraws compiled 26 points, a full point ahead over 2nd placer Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). Ateneo settled a 2-2 draw over UST.

In the juniors’ division, the Adamson Baby Falcons of coach Christopher Rodriguez blanked the UST Tiger Cubs, 4-0, to remain on top of the pack with 29.5 points.

“Magkaka-alamanan next weekend. Pero maganda ‘yung nakakalamang na sa puntos,” said Rodriguez. His team is seeking a grand slam title in the UAAP event.

AdU’s Ali Guya, Steven James Dacanay, Jesse Abucejo and Jean Karen Enriquez beat UST's Maria Leonora Daylo, Lei Romero, Nica Paguagan and Dustin Padilla.

Still at solo second place with 27.5 points are the FEU Baby Tamaraws, who also notched a 4-0 victory over De La Salle Zobel.

FEU's Paul Robert Evangelista, Vince Angelo Medina, Mc Dominique Lagula and Jeremiah Alfonso combined their forces to beat Ramon Lorenzo Bolaong, Irwin Rommel Malana, Joseph Gabriel Lara and Miguel Limgenco. – by Marlon Bernardino