The Varsitarian

The UST Lady Woodpushers clinched their second consecutive title in the UAAP Season 69 Chess Championship last Sept. 16 at the University of the East (UE) Briefing Room.

UST, with its 31 points, was way ahead of perennial rivals Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of the Philippines (UP). FEU placed second with 25. 5 while UP settled for third with 25 points.

Although UST lost its final match to the Diliman-based chessers, the Lady Woodpushers had already secured the title two rounds earlier with their 5.5 point lead.

“It was a sorry loss against UP but what was more important is that we won the title,” board-four gold medalist Romelin Guerra told the Varsitarian said.

UST head coach and International Master Ronald Dableo said that in spite of a powerhouse opponent like FEU, his wards were still able to deliver well.

“They really had the stronger drive to win,” Dableo said.

With eight wins out of 10 games, UST’s Geneline de Ramos took the gold for board three, while Maria Zayrah dela Cruz bagged the gold for board two with 8.5 victories. Tigress rookie Sherily Cua of board one, however, settled for silver against UP’s Catherine Pereña with 8.5 wins.

Earlier, UST swept the Ateneo de Manila University and UE, 0-4, while it outplayed the National University Lady Woodpushers, 3-1. UST sealed its title-retention bid in a 2.5 point win with the tournament’s bridesmaid, FEU.

The UST Male Woodpushers wasted their chance for a podium finish at the least after a .5-3.5 loss against the Adamson University Chessers last Sept. 17 at the UE Briefing room.

The Male Woodpushers concluded its dismal Season 69 campaign with a mediocre 25.5 points, good for fifth place. FEU walked home with 33.5 points for the title, while UP and Adamson wrapped up the podium finishers. The Diliman-based chessers placed second with 31.5 while Adamson finished third with 31 points.

Nursing junior Vic Neil Villanueva led the Male Chessers pack by winning the gold in board two, while veteran Ramon Manon-og and Arnold Dableo hauled the bronzes for boards three and one, respectively.

UST’s other bets for boards two to four, however, suffered setbacks against Adamson for an early tournament exit.