Philippine Sports News

MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) — The Far Eastern University (FEU) chess team led all the way in all divisions (Juniors, Seniors Men’s and Women’s) at the end of the first round of 72nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team championships at the UST’s new Tan Yan Kee Student Center in Espana, Manila during the weekend.

“Our hard work has paid off but it’s still a long way to go,” said FEU head coach two-time Olympian member GM Jayson Gonzales.

“I believe this is an unprecedented feat for a school in the UAAP chess tournament,” he added.

The Lady Tamaraws composed of Ronna Reigner Senora, WNM Jedara Docena, WNM Rulp Ylem Jose and Jenny Rose Palomo blanked the Lady Warriors comprised by Mersky Peque, Chrizel Yson, Janine Krishna and Jessica Visca, 4-0, to show the way in the seniors women’s category by tallying a total output of 18.5 points.

“We’re very inspired to play because of the full support we have been receiving from the management and officials of FEU,” said top board player Senora, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday.

“This is one of the nicest birthday gifts I have ever received. We’re first round leaders,” added the General Santos City native Senora, the country’s 16-and-under representative in the 2008 ASEAN age group chess championships in Danang, Vietnam.

In the men’s side, three-peat champion FEU turned back host school University of Sto. Tomas, 2.5-1.5, to catch the latter in the leadership boards.

FEU and UST, both tallied a total 20 points. However, former champ (FEU) took the top spot at the end of the first round after the winner over the others tie break points.

Lyndon Sombilon and Luffe Magdalaga carried the fight for Morayta-based school after beating UST’s Joey Alberto Florendo and Jude Emil Fronda on board 1 and 3, respectively.

Sheider Nebato settled for a truce with Gerald Ferriol on board 2 while UST’s full point courtesy of Patrick Florendo, who brought downed Antonio Chavez Jr. on board 4.

“UST is happy as we have tied with three-peat champion FEU,” said another birthday celebrant Peter Lim, member of the coaching staff of Growling Tigers, including 2003 Vungtau, Vietnam 3.2 Asian Zonal champion GM elect Ronald Dableo and National Master/ Fide arbiter Winston Silva.

In the Juniors’ side, it’s a neck-and-neck battle between two-time defending champion Baby Falcons and Baby Tamaraw who both finished a total 18.5 points.

Far Eastern University took the No.1 spot after edging Adamson University in tie break points.

FEU downed Ateneo de Manila University, 2.5-1.5, while ADU blasted University of Sto. Tomas, 4-0, to share lead at the end of the first round.

“It’s OK to be No. 2 in the first round because if you are No. 1 you will take a bye at the start of the second round which could disrupt your momentum,” said Baby Falcons head coach candidate master Christopher Rodriguez.

Last Saturday, FEU and ADU settled a 2-all deadlock, but the former (FEU) won their board 1 player for the tie break points.

International arbiter/National Master Eliao Lao is the tournament chief arbiter.