MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University (FEU) failed to score a historic sweep in the 72nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team championships after it yielded the juniors’ title to Adamson University.

FEU ruled the men’s and women’s events after beating host University of Santo Tomas at the Tan Yan Kee Student Center in Manila on Sunday.

However, FEU lacked a half point in the juniors’ division as it finished with 36 points behind the Adamson University Baby Falcons’ 36.5 points. It was a three-peat title for Adamson.

The Tamaraws, mentored by two-time Olympian Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales and National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa, tallied 42 points to capture their four-peat title.
 
Lyndon Sombilon, Sheider Nebato, Luffe Magdalaga, Antonio Chavez, Jr. and Kevin Mirano won over the Tigers, 3.5-0.5, in the final round.
 
The Lady Tamaraws, meantime, ended the tournament with 31.5 points after beating the Lady Tigers, 3-1.

The FEU women’s team is composed of 2006 Doha Asian Games representative Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena, Ronna Reigner Senora, Jenny Rose Palomo, Rulp Ylem Jose and Lovelyn Medina.
 
“Our hard work paid off because we never stopped practicing after we won the Unigames, CHED [Commission on Higher Education] National Finals among other collegiate competitions,” said Gonzales.

Villamayor wins PSC chess

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor emerged the winner in the “All In Sports Expo” Open Rapid Chess Tournament at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Canteen at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Sunday.

Villamayor and GM Mark Paragua both tallied 8 points in 9 outings but the former got the upper hand after the tie-break points were applied.
 
Villamayor was named the champion with a superior Buchholz of 57.5 points. Paragua just had 52 points.

The top 2 finishers received P25,000 each in the event hosted by PSC chairman Harry Angping and backed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

Villamayor defeated FIDE (World Chess Federation) Master David Elorta  in the final round. He swept his first 5 matches before halving the point with Paragua in the 6th round. He then beat Gonzales in the 7th round and drew with top seed GM Wesley So in the 8th round.

Magnolia chess

In other chess action, the 26th edition of the 1st Saturday Magnolia Non-Master (RRCIS) Chess Tournament (1950 Below Club Rapid Rating) will kick off on Saturday, March 6, in Parañaque City.

The event, organized by Barangay Don Bosco Chess Club (BDBCC) headed by Adviser Dr. Bong Perez, will kick off at 10:00 a.m. at the Perez Building in Better Living Subdivision.

The champion will receive P3,000, the 2nd placer will get 2,000, and the 3rd placer will take home 1,000. Winners in the Senior, Kiddie and Lady categories will get P 500 each and a gift pack of Magnolia products.

All participants will enjoy the application of RRCIS-Round by Round Cash Incentive Scheme 10-5. The tournament format will be played in 7 Rounds Swiss System and the rate of play will be 25 minutes per player to finish the game.

The one-day event will be supervised by Chief Arbiter Bobot Rosanto Torres of the National Association of Philippine Chess Arbiters (NAPCA).

The tournament is backed by Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Parañaque Vice Mayor Gus Tambunting, Barangay Don Bosco Chairman Jun Virata, Magnolia Health Tea Drinks and Julie’s Bakeshop. – by Marlon Bernardino