The UST Male Woodpushers are determined to extend their dominance in UAAP chess, chasing a fifth straight crown in Season 88, where they expect stiffer competition than in past years.
Even after losing former MVPs Melito Ocsan Jr. and Julius Gonzales, coach Ronald Dableo remains confident, pointing to reigning Season 87 MVP Mark Daluz and a battle-tested core as the backbone of their campaign.
“Although malaking factor sila (Ocsan at Gonzales) sa team last year, matibay pa rin,” Dableo told the Varsitarian. “Malakas din ‘yong mga naiiwan.”
“Everyday kami nagpa-practice, kumpleto pa rin naman ‘yong players natin sa all divisions. Kampante naman ako sa kanila. Hopefully, ngayon ulit, makaulit ng championship.”
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Joining Daluz in the title defense are rookie Allan Hilario, siblings Chester and Mark Reyes, Carl Daluz, Jan Clifford Labog, and Lee Roi Palma.
Last season, UST became only the third team in UAAP chess history to clinch four straight titles, joining DLSU and FEU in elite company.
On the women’s side, the Lady Woodpushers, who finished sixth for the second year in a row, are looking ahead with optimism.
Veteran Jamaica Lagrio will lead the squad alongside Faith Tabungar, Princess Oncita, Rohanisah Buto, Precious Yecla and Josemier Panol, with Dableo eyeing a podium finish.
The Lady Woodpushers closed Season 87 in sixth place with 11 match points and 18 game points.
At the juniors level, UST’s boys’ and girls’ squads are still searching for their first championship since debuting in Season 54, after both settled for silver medals last year.
The boys’ team, however, faces a major blow with Alekhine Nouri, the world’s youngest FIDE master, missing the season after aging out of UAAP eligibility.
“Unfortunately sa boys’ division, natanggalan tayo ng pinakamalakas na player pa natin,” Dableo said. “Senior high (si Nouri) ngayon, pero dapat magla-laro siya sa high school. Kaya lang, mag-20 plus na siya ngayong season. Based sa rules, bawal pala yan.”
Without Nouri, the Junior Male Woodpushers will lean on John Borce, Gabriel Paradero and Jude Dableo to keep their momentum.
Meanwhile, the Junior Female Woodpushers will be led by Trina Temple, Gilasea Hilario and Mecel Gadut.
“Sa girls’ division, hoping ako baka mag-strive tayo ngayon. Mag-champion tayo sana,” the coach said. “Tapos nawalan din tayo ng mga kalaban sa ibang school.”
Ultimately, Dableo stressed that discipline and humility will be the deciding factors for another winning run.
“Maintain lang ‘yong training at ‘yong humility lang. Kasi minsan, pag-umiral na ‘yong sobrang kumpiyansa, nadi-disgrasya. Kapag nag-focus lang naman sila, kayang-kaya naman natin.”
