FEU, UST split inaugural UAAP rapid chess titles

c/o UAAP Media Team

FAR Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas each secured two championships as the inaugural UAAP Season 87 Rapid Chess Championships came to a close Saturday at the Adamson Gym.

The Baby Tamaraws reaffirmed their dominance in the boys' division with another undefeated run to the crown, capped by a commanding 3-1 victory over the Junior Male Woodpushers in the finals. Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws overcame two early setbacks in the tournament to stage an impressive comeback and claim the women's title.

In the boys' division finals, Jerish John Velarde set the tone for FEU by defeating FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri on the top board. Franklin Andes followed suit with a win over Jian Carlo Rivera on Board 3. Oscar Cantela and Lemmuel Adena sealed the triumph with crucial draws against John Cyrus Borce and Sumer Oncita on Board 2 and Board 4, respectively.

"Yung women's team namin, I think they're the most unexpected na magpopodium finish kasi nung eliminations, first day pa lang nakadalawang talo na sila. Of course, we were hoping for the best na magchampion pero realistically, nung kakasimula pa lang ng laban, medyo tumagilid. But we talked to the players and nagtraining naman din kami," said FEU assistant coach Janelle Frayna, reflecting on their championship run in the women's division. The Lady Tamaraws upended league-leader Ateneo de Manila University with a dominant 3.5-0.5 win in the finals.

("Our women's team, I think, was the most unexpected to reach the podium because, in the eliminations, they already had two losses on the first day. Of course, we were hoping for the best and aiming to become champions, but realistically, at the start of the tournament, things weren’t looking good. However, we talked to the players, and we also trained.")

"Minsan yung mga bata, they doubt their capabilities. I think that's what happened in the first day. Now, we just treated it one game at a time. Yung first na laban sa La Salle sa semis was very close. Maybe may luck factor din. Then dito sa finals, unexpectedly na 4-0 namin ang Ateneo. That's a very decisive advantage I guess kasi next match isang draw lang, champion na," added Frayna, a Woman Grandmaster and UAAP Season 77 Athlete of the Year.

("Sometimes, young players doubt their capabilities. I think that’s what happened on the first day. So, we just took it one game at a time. Our first match against La Salle in the semifinals was very close. Maybe luck also played a factor. Then in the finals, we unexpectedly swept Ateneo 4-0. That was a very decisive advantage, I guess, because in the next match, we only needed a draw to secure the championship.")

Ateneo topped the elimination stage with an undefeated record but failed to replicate its earlier 3.5-0.5 victory over FEU in Round 1.

FEU demonstrated its chess supremacy by reaching the finals in all four divisions. However, the Tamaraws suffered upset losses to UST in both the girls' and men's divisions, despite emerging as the top seeds in the single-round robin elimination stage.

In the girls' division, UST's Daren Dela Cruz and Iana Sotaridona secured crucial victories over Woman FIDE Master April Joy Claros and Kate Ordizo on Board 1 and Board 4, respectively. Kara Meneses then drew against Lyn Getubig, clinching the title for the Tigresses.

UST head coach Ronald Dableo acknowledged that luck played a role in their double championship triumph.

"May kasamang swerte yung nangyari. Naunahan kami nung elimination round eh. So everybody's game na yung labanan. Lumabas yung swerte. Tulad nito, losing na yung board 2 ko. Biro mo napakain nang buo yung tore nang kalaban. May luck din talaga. Pero nerve nga yun ng game," Dableo admitted.

("There was some luck involved in what happened. We fell behind in the elimination round, so the competition became anyone’s game. Then luck came into play. For example, my player on Board 2 was already losing, but unbelievably, the opponent ended up blundering their entire rook. There really was an element of luck, but that’s just part of the game.")

The UST Male Woodpushers had a slow start, opening the tournament with a loss and a draw before winning three straight matches to secure the third seed heading into the crossover semifinals. In the finals, they forced a tiebreaker after splitting the two matches against FEU, both ending in identical 2.5-1.5 results.

FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz's fated showdown with FIDE Master Mark Bacojo became the decisive match, ultimately awarding the championship to UST.

UST had previously fallen to FEU in the girls' division elimination round with a tight 1.5-2.5 loss. However, they made key adjustments heading into the playoffs, which proved instrumental in their title-winning campaign.

Dableo credited UST assistant coach and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo for their strategic preparations, particularly in the girls' division.

"Malaki naitulong ni Coach Darwin Laylo kasi grandmaster to eh. With regards sa preparation, tinatap ko talaga siya. Sabi ko pre linya mo yan. Alam mo na gagawin diyan. Maraming games na napakinabangan ng girls division namin (yung mga preparations niya). Yung tinuro niya, nagamit sa laro kaya naging madali yung laban. Yun ang naging main factor namin laban sa FEU sa girls eh. Yun preparation ni Coach Dar, malaking bagay yun," Dableo remarked after their 2.5-1.5 victory over FEU in the finals.

("Coach Darwin Laylo was a huge help because he's a grandmaster. When it came to preparation, I really relied on him. I told him, 'Bro, this is your line. You know what to do here.' His preparations greatly benefited our girls' division. What he taught them was applied in the games, making the matches easier. That was the main factor in our win against FEU in the girls' division. Coach Dar's preparation was a big deal.")

Following Ateneo at third place in the women's division was De La Salle University, which defeated UST in the battle for bronze.

In the men's division, University of the Philippines edged out La Salle to claim third place.

Meanwhile, Ateneo and National University Nazareth School secured third-place finishes in the boys' and girls' divisions, respectively.

The awarding of podium winners, along with the announcement of individual awards, will take place alongside the UAAP Blitz Chess Championships awarding ceremony on April 5.