THE UST Male Woodpushers swept the FEU Tamaraws, 4-0, to finish their UAAP Season 86 men’s chess tournament campaign undefeated at the FEU Tech Gym on Sunday, Nov. 19.
With UST’s third straight title in the men’s division already secured prior to this game, it was nothing but a statement win against FEU teams, which ruled the women’s, girls’, and boys’ tournaments.
Melito Ocsan Jr. was hailed the Most Valuable Player after finishing with eight wins in 10 games in Board 2, while the unbeaten Chester Reyes was named Rookie of the Year with his nine wins in Board 3.
“Talagang naging blessing siya sakin kasi unang-una hindi ko talaga inexpect na mag-perform ako nang naganda this season,” Ocsan told the Varsitarian. “I felt pressure especially sa games na winning na ako pero natalo pa kaya grabe ‘yung pressure, halos maiyak na ako dahil sa pressure noon.”
The Male Woodpushers finished with 18 match points (31 game points) built on eight wins and two draws.
Season 85 MVP Julius Gonzales finished his stellar collegiate career by utilizing the Indian Game to topple National Master Christian Olaybal in 49 moves.
Ocsan, who was a Board 2 silver medalist in Season 84 and the lone Male Woodpusher without an individual award in Season 85, flexed his MVP form with a 52-move thrashing of Hans Olorsisimo’s Caro-Kann Defense.
Reyes put away FIDE Master Jeth Morado’s Modern Defense in 65 moves to finish his rookie season as the only undefeated player in the tournament.
Carl Daluz vanquished Juan Cantela in 62 moves to complete the sweep and put the final touches on UST’s unbeaten season.
“Siyempre unang-una nagpapasalamat ako sa panginoon natin na pinagkaloob tayo para ma-maintain ‘yung championship,” UST head coach Ronald Dableo said. “Masaya pero gano’n pa rin, go for the four-peat naman.”
Ocsan, Reyes and Gonzales spearheaded the championship by capturing the gold medals in Boards 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Brothers Mark and Carl Daluz snagged bronze medals in Boards 1 and 6, respectively, to finish their rookie seasons.
In the women’s division, the UST Lady Woodpushers finished the season with a loss to the National University Lady Bulldogs, 3-1.
Josemier Panol and Rohanisah Buto forced stalemates against Jesca Docena and Jelaine Adriano in 40 and 68 moves, respectively.
However, Joannah Olay and Princes Oncita succumbed to Allaney Doroy and Natasja Balabbo in 41 and 56 moves, respectively, to put to bed the Lady Woodpushers’ heartbreaking season.
Buto notched the silver medal in Board 5 after registering five wins and three draws in the tournament.
The rookie-laden UST Lady Woodpushers ended their Season 86 campaign in sixth place, a place lower than last year, with six match points (16.5 game points) on two wins and two draws. They had eight losses in total.
The graduating Gonzales has yet to decide whether to exhaust his playing eligibility.
