The UST Male Woodpushers were crowned as champions of the UAAP season 84 chess tournament after ending their nine-year title drought at the Far Eastern University Mini Auditorium on Wednesday.
The team garnered a total of 28 points in 10 rounds, besting the De La Salle University Green Woodpushers in the double-round robin match, 2.5-1.5.
“Sa caliber ng mga players natin talagang sabi ko nga sigurado ‘yong podium, although syempre wala naman certain, pero sabi ko sa strength ng lineup, I can assure for a podium finish, kasi ‘yong strength nila pang-champion talaga, “ head coach Ronald Dableo told the Varsitarian
In the 9th tie, the UST male woodpushers were up by 25.5 points, followed by the University of the Philippines with 22.5 points, DLSU with 22 points and FEU with 21.5 points.
UST was one win away from securing the championship when Julius Gonzales delivered the championship point, ousting La Salle’s Francis Xavier Guimalan, 1-0.
UST team captain Brylle Vinluan lost to Cyril Telesforo, Lee Palma settled for a draw, and Antonio Almodal contributed another point for the male woodpushers, 0-1, ½-½, 1-0.
The Woodpushers’ gold medal win is the third of the University in UAAP Season 84. Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan
