UST chessers strike
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas scored its fourth straight win to move ahead of its closest pursuer Ateneo with a 4-0 sweep of in Round 6 of the Men’s Division in the UAAP chess tournament on Sunday.
The defending champions improved to 10 match points, three points ahead of the three-way log jam at the second spot between Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines, and La Salle.
FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz continued to anchor UST as he remained perfect with a sixth straight victory courtesy of a 30-move conquest of Paul Matthew Llanillo on Board 1.
Skipper Melito Ocsan Jr. also made quick work of Ateneo’s Knarf Bastislaong on Board 3, securing the full point after emerging victorious with the white pieces after 39 moves of a Sicilian Defense.
Chester Reyes and Julius Gonzales completed UST’s domination by defeating Christopher Kis-ing and Norberto Manuel on Board 2 and Board 4, respectively.
In the women’s division, UP delivered the upset on second-running La Salle with a 2.5-1.5 result.
With all other women’s matches ending in 2-2 draws in Round 8, Jerlyn San Diego spearheaded UP’s fightback from the bottom of the standings by taking down Woman National Master Francois Magpily.
Precious Eve Ferrer bounced back from five straight losses with a rousing victory over Arena Grandmaster Sara Olendo on Board 2 while Jallen Agra secured the victory for the Fighting Maroons by forcing a draw with Rinoa Sadey on Board 3.
La Salle’s lone win in Round 8 came from Checy Telesforo, who outmaneuvered Raiza Locmayoan on Board 4.
Despite the loss, the Taft-based Lady Woodpushers remained second with 10 match points while the Fighting Maroons sat sixth with four match points.
In other men’s ties, FEU also pulled off a shutout victory in Round 6 with a 4-0 domination of Adamson, while UP and La Salle settled for a 2-2 draw in the men’s division as the two remained within reach of the podium at third and fourth, respectively.
FIDE Master Mark Bacojo, Dale Bernardo, FIDE Master John Merill Jacutina and Istraelito Rilloraza all logged wins over John Frederick Sunga, Vince Arellano, Joshua Roque and John Rocel Simon, respectively.
In the other women’s division showdowns, National University settled for a 2-2 split with Ateneo to remain a close third with nine match points.
Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy and Jelaine Adriano scored a pair of victories over Kristine Flores and Jiessel Marino for the Lady Bulldogs, respectively, while the Blue Eagles’ Ma. Ateneo’s Ma. Elayza Villa and Lexie Hernandez took care of Natasja Balabbo and Princess Ballete on Board 2 and Board 3, respectively.
UST and Adamson’s head-to-head also ended in a 2-2 draw with Josemier Panol and Precious Yecla providing the points for the España-based side after outsmarting Angela San Luis and Christine Hernandez on Board 1 and Board 2, respectively.
On Board 3, the Robelle de Jesus scored her third straight win by putting away Rohanisah Buto while Phoebie Arellano bagged the other Lady Falcons victory over Princess Oncita on Board 4.
