THREE members of the National University (NU) boys’ chess team will bolster the UST Male Woodpushers in an attempt for a podium finish in the upcoming UAAP season.
Brylle Vinluan, Antonio Almodal III and Jeffu Dorog were part of the NU juniors’ squad that bagged silver in the UAAP chess tournament last year but jumped ship to UST for a “better” academic and sports program.
“Maganda ang chess program ng UST, ‘yong trainings at si coach Ronald Dableo mismo. Nag-consider rin ako ng other factors like quality of education [kaya ako lumipat],” Vinluan told the Varsitarian.
The Male Woodpushers last won the title in 2012 and had placed fourth in the last two seasons. The closest UST had bagged the crown was in Season 78 when it copped silver.
UST head coach Ronald Dableo has high praise for the three, citing their deep potential to deliver for the team.
“Sila na ‘yong sinasabi kong top-caliber recruits kasi magagaling sila based sa pinakita nila last season kung saan second place sila,” Dableo said.
Even before playing for NU, Vinluan had brought home several medals, including eight golds and one silver combined in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in 2014 and 2017.
The 18-year-old is also ranked an International Master-elect, the second-highest title given to a chess player next to the Grand Master.
But despite all the accolades, Vinluan believes he is still a work in progress.
“Wala naman sa akin ‘yong maka-receive ng awards. Ang mahalaga ay ‘yong improvement ko as an athlete,” he said.
Being the youngest of three siblings, Almoda’s passion for the game of kings began at the age of nine after his father Antonio Almodal Jr. introduced it to him.
He was a multi-time UAAP gold and silver medalist during his playing years in NU and was hailed Rookie of the Year in Season 74.
“Gusto ko ‘yong school ko sa college ay ‘yong kung saan ma-i-improve pa ang skills ko saka ‘yong pag-aaral ko at naniniwala akong UST ang makakagawa noon,” Almodal said.
Meanwhile, Dorog sought a new home because he was told the seniors’ team of NU is stacked.
UST came just at the right time for the Cebu-native, who has been a varsity player since his elementary days.
Dorog also understood the pressure and the need to double the effort in trainings, now that the chess tournament has been moved to the latter part of the year from the usual second-semester games.
“Dapat mag-perform kami nang maayos para makuha ang place at mag-work hard lang,” the 19-year-old Dorog told.
The Male Woodpushers is tied with the De La Salle University as the second-winningest team in the UAAP with seven championships.
