THE UST Male Woodpushers secured their third consecutive UAAP men’s chess title after dominating the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 4-0, at the FEU Tech Gym on Saturday, Nov. 18.
The Male Woodpushers have secured the best record in the tournament after amassing 27 game points, six points ahead of the second-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles, who have 21 game points.
With UST having 16 match points, two match points ahead of Ateneo’s 14, the Male Woodpushers are bound to take the crown regardless of the results of their final game. The league would refer to the game points as the tiebreaker when teams achieved similar match points.
Melito Ocsan Jr. made quick work of Adamson’s John Rocel Simon’s Sicilian Defense in 24 moves to notch UST’s first win of the day.
Chester Reyes remained spotless in the tourney after a 30-move drubbing of Jolar Ballobar in Board 3.
Reigning MVP Julius Gonzales dismantled John Frederick Sunga in 44 moves to secure UST the overall win.
Mark Daluz then completed the sweep utilizing the Sicilian Defence to vanquish fellow Arena Fide Master Alfonso Olendo in 61 moves in Board 1.
“Expected ko naman na tatalunin namin sila (Adamson). Pero favorable talaga ang shutout, kasi virtually champions na tayo. Kahit matalo tayo ng 0-4 against FEU, champions pa rin tayo,” UST head coach Ronald Dableo told the Varsitarian. “Ang nilalaro nalang namin is to finish unbeaten and ‘yung four individual medals.”
The UST Male Woodpushers are unbeaten atop the standings with 16 match points built on seven wins and two draws, while the Adamson Soaring Falcons sit in last place with a single match point.
The UST Male Woodpushers last achieved a three-peat in Seasons 59 to 61 from 1995 to 1998.
Meanwhile, the UST Lady Woodpushers dropped to last place again after a 2-2 stalemate with the DLSU Lady Woodpushers.
Josemier Panol opened the day utilizing the Great Snake variation of the English Opening to thwart DLSU’s Checy Telesforo in 32 moves.
Rohanisah Buto outmaneuvered Woman National Master Sara Olendo and her Modern Defense in 66 moves.
Princes Oncita and Patricia Bernardo faltered against Woman National Masters Francois Magpily and Rinoa Sadey in 49 and 42 moves, respectively.
The UST Lady Woodpushers moved back to last place with eight match points, while the De La Salle Lady Woodpushers rose to fourth place with 12 match points.
The UST Male Woodpushers will look to finish the season undefeated as they go against the FEU Tamaraws at the same venue tomorrow, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m.
