AFTER a strong second-place finish last year in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines chess competition, the UST Male Woodpushers are bent on improving their performance this season despite the absence of ace player Roland Salvador.
Salvador, who was absent last year, will again be missed this season because of his training in the Philippine Navy.
Acting coach and National Master Winston Silva said that the team is undergoing a much-needed team building, recruiting raw talents from as far as Kidapawan, Mindanao, in their bid to at least retain their second-place finish in the UAAP.
So far, the team has recruited two players incoming freshmen Ramon Manon-og, Joseph Cabahug, who will be placed in the training pool that will comprise the team’s line-up.
As part of their preparation, the Woodpushers participated in various off-season tournaments such as the National Open last April and the National Age Group last May, both held in Green Hills, San Juan.
Representing UST in the National Open, Male Woodpusher team captain Bob Jones Liwagon and Lady Woodpushers mentor Ronald Dableo faced various opponents from around the country, placing 30th and 19th, respectively. Liwagon also participated in the National Age Group and etched an impressive fourth-place finish.
This year’s team will be led by National Master Bob Jones Liwagon in board one, graduating Woodpusher Jerson Bitoon in board two, Communications Arts senior Jonathan Calapati in board three, Natioanl Age Group under-18 third-place finisher Arnold Dableo in board four, and Rynam Arce in board five.
The players feel that the team is stronger compared to the previous year due to the new recruits. But they cautioned themselves against over-confidence and complacency.
“Depende pa rin sa diskarte ng coach. Pero mas lumakas kami dahil sa mga bagong pasok,” the young Liwagon said, referring to rookies Cabahug and Manon-og, who are showing promise early.
“It doesn’t mean na mare-retain iyong position sa second. Marami pa ring factors, depende sa kondisyon at depende sa strength ng ibang schools,” said board three player Jonathan Calapati.
He also said that although most of their opponents became weaker this season with the graduation of top players, they still have to get past defending champion De La Salle University, which remains to be the team to beat because of its intact roster.
Nevertheless, Silva feels good about the team’s chances and is optimistic in at least retaining their bridesmaid finish.
Lady Woodpushers Full of Optimism
The possible absence of Lady Woodpusher team captain and National Master Joann Toledo due to academic problems may prove to be a major blow to the team this season. But the Lady Woodpushers are hopeful in bagging the UAAP chess title they failed to snatch last year.
After almost capturing the championship last season, the Lady Woodpushers are poised to take what could have been theirs by engaging in rigid training and heavy recruitment to beef up the team. The team infused into their line-up two promising rookies, Rusela Joya and Madelaine Abeleda.
Joya, a Palawan native, finished third in the National Open and was this year’s champion in the elimination round of the same tournament. On the other hand, Abeleda was a standout in La Immaculada High School.
The team also played in the National Open where Shercila Cua and Joya finished sixth and seventh place, respectively, while Toledo, Cua, and Abeleda displayed their brilliance in the National Age Group. Cua won the under-18 tournament with Toledo taking third spot.
Leading the team this year are Shercila Cua from the College of Commerce, Rhejean Dableo and Rusela Joya from the Graduate School, Pharmacy student Sherie Pearl dela Cruz, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics student Cecille Fajardo and newcomer Madelaine Abeleda from the College of Nursing.
Toledo, whose fate with the Lady Woodpushers hangs in the balance after incurring academic problems, is very optimistic about the line-up.
“Malakas ang line-up kahit hindi ako makapaglaro. Pero depende pa rin yan sa disiplinang ipapakita ng mga players,” said Toledo.
National Master and Lady Woodpusher coach Ronald Dableo said that the team is very much capable of bagging the title this season despite strong opposition, particularly from defending champion University of the Philippines.
“Sure champion ‘to ‘wag lang magpabaya,” Dableo said. He stressed the team’s need to concentrate more on their game. Patrick Leonard M. Mayo
