UST MALE Woodpushers claimed solo second place following a 2.5-1.5 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP chess tournament at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Technology Building last Feb. 3.
The Male Woodpushers, who last held the crown in 1999, collected 22.5 points after nine meetings to stay within striking distance of six-time defending champion FEU Tamaraws, who remained on top with 24.5 markers.
UST team captain Patrick Erle Florendo and sophomore Steven James Dacanay racked up twin victories against Ateneo’s Louell Que and Lance See, despite the absence of veteran player Jude Fronda due to an academic commitment.
Earlier, Timothy So-Kua settled for a draw with international master Jan Emmanuel Ibarra to award UST half a point.
Rookie Eugene Samonte was the lone UST casualty after he faltered against Blue Eagle Carl Angelo Perez.
“Ang maganda sa men’s team, may lucky punch pa para sa championship lalo na kung maganda ang result sa last day kalaban ang FEU,” coach Ronald Dableo said.
The Female Woodpushers, who finished at seventh place last year, continued to struggle after absorbing a 0-4 defeat against reigning titlist La Salle, a two-time champion. They currently sit at sixth place.
Michelle Concio failed to pull off a win over Kyla Camacho in what could have been UST’s lone victory.
Junior Woodpushers Christine Laz and Loraine Salinas suffered the same fate at the hands of Season 74 Most Valuable Player and National Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Judith Pineda, respectively.
“May system naman kami hindi lang talaga nai-execute. Ang plano lang namin this season ay ma-improve sa fourth ang women’s team,” Dableo said. Alexis U. Cerado
