THE UST WOODPUSHERS concluded their conquest in the UAAP with a pair of runner-up finishes in the men’s and women’s divisions at the Far Eastern University (FEU) East-Asia College Building last February 20.
The Male Woodpushers totaled 36.5 points, while the Lady Woodpushers finished with 37.5 markers in 14 rounds of the tournament, an improvement from last season’s lowly 19-point output.
UST coach and International Master Ronald Dableo said the teams’ rigorous practice, discipline, and talent carried them up to a better performance this season.
“They had been training well. And their talents really paid off,” he said.
The Male Woodpushers scooped two gold medals courtesy of Joey Florendo (Board one) and Steven Dacanay (Board five), while team captain Gerald Ferriol (Board two) delivered the bronze for UST.
UST’s chessboard stalwarts faltered against top-finisher FEU in their non-bearing final game in the men’s event, 1.5-2.5.
The men’s team played a game of three draws to score three 0.5 finishes in their last match, but lost sight of Board four as John Zacarias was outwitted by FEU’s Kevin Mirano in 47 moves (0-1).
In their previous matches, the España-based squad ripped the University of the East (UE), 3-1, last February 19.
Joey Florendo outfoxed Nelson Mariano III in 62 moves in Board four before Ferriol’s 55-move takeover against Amram Rivas in Board two. Jude Fronda’s Board-four victory over John Paul Cruz ended in 34 moves.
The Male Woodpushers carved an identical 3-1 win against De La Salle University last February 13 and National University last February 12 before thrashing Adamson University, 3.5-.5, last February 6.
In the women’s event, the Lady Woodpushers, who hauled three medals for UST, capped a remarkable runner-up performance from last season’s erratic sixth-place finish.
Team captain Ma. Zayrah dela Cruz (Board two) and Carina Lumacad (Board three) took home gold medals, while Lorraine Salinas (Board four) bagged silver for the España-based team.
The Lady Woodpushers dropped their last round match against eventual champions De La Salle, 1.5-2.5, with Jamie Manzano clinching the lone win for UST in 37 moves against Susan Neri, while Lumacad and Taft-based opponent Angeli Dimakiling finished with a .5 deadlock in 110 moves.
In their recent matches, the women’s team secured the second spot after prevailing against FEU, 3.5-.5, last February 19 as Dela Cruz, Lumacad and Salinas pulled out victories in 31, 31 and 71 moves respectively. Christine Laz settled for a draw with FEU’s Jedara Docena in 80 moves (.5-.5).
UST dealt a 3-1 victory against UE last February 13 and dominated Adamson via 4-0 board sweep last February 12 as Laz, Dela Cruz, Lumacad, and Salinas whipped out their foes in 31, 57, 38 and 53 moves respectively.
