WITH mounting opposition and the departure of seasoned veterans, the UST Woodpushers will travel a rugged terrain toward the championship.
“Last year, we had big hopes for the championship. But this year, we are just hoping to at least duplicate the runner-up finish we had,” UST head coach National Master (NM) Winston Silva said.
The UST chessers zoomed to a promising start last year, leading other teams by as much as 2.5 points in the standings, only to surrender their final assignments and the crowns to University of the Philippines (UP) and De La Salle University (DLSU) in the women’s and men’s divisions.
In preparation for season 68, Silva, women’s head coach International Master Ronald Dableo, and high school coach NM Darwin Laylo attended chess coaching clinics in New York last May to enhance their mentoring skills. They also participated in the HB Global Chess Challenge, which drew 144 participating countries last May 18-23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Silva, Dableo, and Laylo ranked in the top 200 over 1700 competitors.
Aside from their daily training, Silva’s wards had tune-up games against non-UAAP schools like San Beda College and San Sebastian College.
Uphill struggle
The UST Woodpushers will sorely miss the leadership of NM Bob Jones Liwagon and seasoned veteran Rhynan Arce, who both graduated last year.
“It will be an uphill struggle for the team,” Silva said.
Although the mettle of defending champion DLSU will diminish this season because of the exodus of its key players, Silva notes the presence of UP as a prime contender for the title. “DLSU is rookie-laden this season, but UP now stands tall because almost all their players are now seniors,” Silva said.
Senior Engineering student Arnold Dableo, Ronald’s younger brother, is the team captain. Nursing sophomore Vic Neil Villanueva, last season’s Rookie of the Year and board three gold medalist, will be around to strengthen the campaign. Education junior John Vincent Paragua, brother of famed Grand Master Mark Paragua, and Commerce sophomore Ramon Manon-og are both expected to deliver.
The squad’s greenhorns are sophomore Institute of Physical Education and Athletics student Jordan Cañada, who was a board one player for the Philippine Christian University in the NCAA, and junior Engineering student Leonides Usman.
Quite hard
“We have a big chance to place second. With regard to the championship, it will be quite hard, but of course we will give our best,” said Dableo, the defending Asian Zone 3.2 champion.
Dableo’s strategy has 2002 Most Valuable Player Shercila Cua, last season’s board two gold medalist, sitting this season out. Dableo plans to field Cua next year, alongside her younger sister Sherily, who is still completing her one-year residency, for a one-two punch for the championship.
Senior Nursing student Madelaine Abeleda is the team captain. Sophomore IPEA students Zayrah de la Cruz (board four gold medalist), Romellin Guerra, (board six gold medalist), and Hazel Kate Guevarra will all be in attendance to beef up the Female Woodpusher’s campaign. Likewise, sophomore Architecture student Danielle Day Estrada, board five gold medalist, will amplify the Woodpushers’ bid. IPEA freshman Geneline de Ramos is the Lady Woodpusher’s lone rookie. Jose Bimbo F. Santos
