THE UST Lady Woodpushers continued to struggle as they opened their Stage 2 campaign with another 2.5-1.5 defeat at the hands of the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP women’s chess tournament at the FEU Tech Gym on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The Lady Woodpushers remained at the bottom with three match points after seven matches, while the Fighting Maroons had five match points.
“Talagang hirap yung women’s division natin,” UST head coach Ronald Rableo told the Varsitarian. “Although, little by little nananalo naman ang isa-isa, ang problema lang is hindi sila nagkakasabay-sabay. ‘Yun siguro ‘yung kailangan kong hanapan ng solusyon.”
Josemier Panol overcame an early disadvantage to swindle Jerlyn San Diego and her Modern Defense in 36 moves to notch UST’s lone win of the day.
However, Princes Oncita and Patricia Bernardo faltered against Precious Ferrer and Jarel Lacambra in 53 and 28 moves, respectively.
With UST down by one, 2-1, Lady Woodpusher Rohanisah Buto failed to force an overall tie after settling for a draw against Geraldine Guyo, who capitalized on her Sicilian Defense, in 54 moves.
“Nothing to go but up na kasi nasa bottom na kami eh,” Dableo said. “Dapat wala nang pressure. Ayusin na lang kung hanggang saan maabot ng makakaya nila.”
The UST Lady Woodpushers will next face the FEU Lady Tamaraws at the same venue tomorrow at 1 p.m. Brenn Allen L. Flores with reports from Albert Earl A. Gomez
