THE UST Male Woodpushers exacted revenge over the DLSU Green Woodpushers, who handed them a shock defeat in their Stage 1 encounter, with a 4-0 win in Stage 2 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s chess tournament at the Adamson University Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 9.
UST tightened its hold on first place after improving to 12 match points and 23 game points, while the Green Woodpushers dropped to fourth place with seven match points and 12.5 game points.
Before their Stage 1 encounter with DLSU, the Male Woodpushers last tasted defeat in Season 84 in 2022.
“Na-wake up call sila noon e,” UST head coach Ronald Dableo said about the Male Woodpushers’ emotions after the Stage 1 loss. “Nakita ko ‘yong mga bata, narindi rin sila e. Pero mabilis ‘yong recovery ng composure nila.”
“Actually, aaminin ko na nagkaroon ako ng lapses doon sa anlaysis. Medyo may kumpiyansa din; na-understestimate din namin ‘yong La Salle,” he added.
Mark Daluz retained his unbeaten form after utilizing the King’s Indian Defense to trump DLSU’s Cyril Telesforo in 46 moves.
UST’s Julius Gonzales and his Queen’s Pawn Opening toppled John Valencia in 56 moves.
Melito Ocsan Jr. tallied his fourth win of the season after outsmarting DLSU’s Kris Olvido and his Réti Opening in 42 moves.
Chester Reyes completed the sweep for UST after outlasting Daniel Lemi in 118 moves in Board 2.
“Although malayo pa ‘yong laban, sa tingin ko ‘pag tinalo namin ‘yong FEU bukas, medyo maliwanag na [mag-champion], though mahaba pa ‘yong labanan e,” Dableo told the Varsitarian.
Meanwhile in the women’s division, the UST Lady Woodpushers suffered their second straight loss after yielding to the DLSU Lady Woodpushers, 3-1.
UST remained at the bottom of the standings with seven match points and 13.5 game points, while DLSU moved up to second place with 16 match points and 19 game points.
Veterans Rohanisah Buto and Princes Oncita forced stalemates against DLSU’s Lovely Geraldino and Checy Telesforo in 97 and 58 moves, respectively.
Josemier Panol and Princess Yecla failed to thwart DLSU’s Francois Magpily and Rinoa Sadey in Boards 1 and 2, respectively, dealing UST its fifth loss of the season.
In the boys’ division, the UST Junior Male Woodpushers continued to chase first place after overpowering the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 2.5-1.5.
The UST Male Woodpushers will next face the second-seeded FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Adamson University Gymnasium. while the UST Lady Woodpushers will seek to return to the win column against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the same venue.
