By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) clinched two titles each in the UAAP Season 87 rapid chess tournament, which concluded Saturday at Adamson Gym in Manila.
In the boys’ division finals, FEU defeated UST, 3-1. Jerish John Velarde downed FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri on Board 1, Franklin Andes beat Jian Carlo Rivera on Board 3, and Oscar Cantela and Lemmuel Adena drew with John Cyrus Borce and Sumer Oncita on Board 2 and Board 4, respectively.
The Lady Tamaraws demolished league-leader Ateneo de Manila University, 3.5-0.5, in the women’s division finals.
De La Salle University defeated UST in the battle for bronze.
FEU assistant coach Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna, Season 77 Athlete of the Year, lauded her team’s resilience despite a shaky start.
“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,” Frayna told reporters.
She credited the team’s focus and determination, especially after their narrow semifinal win over La Salle.
“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,” she added.
Meanwhile, UST claimed the girls’ division crown with a 2.5-1.5 victory over FEU.
Daren Dela Cruz and Iana Sotaridona defeated Woman FIDE Master April Joy Claros and Kate Ordizo on Boards 1 and 4, respectively, while Kara Meneses drew with Lyn Getubig.
UST coach Ronald Dableo acknowledged that luck was on their side.
“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,” Dableo explained.
In the men’s division finals, UST forced a tiebreak by splitting the two matches against FEU, both ending in 2.5-1.5 results.
FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz delivered the decisive win over FIDE Master Mark Bacojo, securing UST’s crown.
Dableo also credited Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, UST’s assistant coach, for preparing the girls’ team.
“Coach Darwin Laylo was a huge help because he’s a grandmaster. When it came to preparation, I really relied on him. 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,” Dableo added.
Ateneo and National University Nazareth School secured third place in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, respectively.
The awarding ceremony for the teams and individual winners of the rapid and blitz chess events will be on April 5. (PNA)
