NCAA 2009 Round 4 standings

LUC MICHAEL LOJA upsets Woman National Master (WNM) Cherry Ann Mejia in their Board 2 encounter but not good enough to power his team Mapua Institute of Technology losing to the defending champion Colegio San Juan de Letran, 1-3, in the on-going fourth round Junior division 85th season National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Chess Team Championships at the ground floor Cyberzone area of SM City, Manila, on Sunday.

Loja, who is best to remember winning the individual gold medal in the 83rd season prevails after 51 moves of a Sicilian Defense, Pelikan variation using the disadvantageous black pieces.

“Medyo napilit po lamang natin sa end game,” said Loja, who tote perfect 3.0 points leading in the individual gold medal race.

In other matches saw, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda escaped in a losing position to beat Mapua’s top player Ryan Simbulan after 80 moves of Reti Opening, Mikee Suede defeated Marco Rodriguez after 49 moves of King’s Indian Attack in Board 3 and Mercy Joyce Fuerte hammered Steven Vilbar after 53 moves of Spanish Opening in Board 4.

Colegio San Juan de Letran of coach NM Roland Joseph Perez raised their total 14.0 points and shared the lead with over-night solo leader and last year’s runner-up San Sebastian College-Recoletos of coach NM Homer Cunanan who salvaged a 2-2 draw against CSB-De La Salle Greenhills of coach NM Erwin Carag.

John Dimaliwat provided the lone point for San Sebastian after beating Antonio Miguel Ramos after 53 pushes of French Defense in Board 4 while Miguel Lahoz sealed the important win for La Salle Greenhills woodpushers after crushing Arvie Jongko after 40 moves of Gruenfeld Defense on Board 2.

La Salle’s top gunner Jan Nigel Galan halved the point with Aldous Coronel after 52 moves of Spanish Opening as well Alfonso Baldomero Ramos failed to convert the winning position and ended into a fighting draw against Kristian Kristobal after 68 moves of Scandinavian skirmish in Board 3.

San Beda College, playing under the watchful eye of legendary coach Harold “Henrysky” Mariano blasted Emilio Aguinaldo College of coach Elvis Calvelo, 3-1, to improved their record 12.0 points and occupied the solo third place position.

University of Perpetual Help Dalta System, which is handled by coach Ferdie Reyes remains at No.4 post after blanking Arellano University, 4-0, for 9.5 points. Jose Rizal University took a bye in the fourth round.

According to Chief arbiter IA/ NM Elias Lao, action will resume this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at 1:30 pm with these year’s theme ““Winning drive @85”.

In the Senior division, last year’s runner-up Colegio San Juan de Letran remain on top with 12.5 points despite absorbing a 1.5-2.5 setbacks at the hands of Mapua Institute of Technology. San Sebastian College-Recoletos and San Beda College shared 2nd to 3rd placers with 11.0 points apiece.

San Sebastian bowed to defending champion De La Salle-College of St. Benilde of coach GM candidate Fernie Donguines, 1-3, while San Beda split the point with Emilio Aguinaldo College, 2-2.

University of Perpetual Help Dalta System, meanwhile blanked Arellano University, 4-0, while Jose Rizal University took a bye in the fourth round.Team Standings after round 4:

(JUNIORS)

14.0 points--- Colegio San Juan de Letran
14.0 points---San Sebastian College-Recoletos
12.0 points--- San Beda College
9.5 points--- University of Perpetual Help Dalta System
6.0 points---CSB-De La Salle Greenhills
4.0 points--- Mapua Institute of Technology
3.0 points--- Emilio Aguinaldo College
1.5 point--- Jose Rizal University
0 ---Arellano University

(SENIORS)

12.5 points--- Colegio San Juan de Letran
11.0 points---San Sebastian College-Recoletos
11.0 points--- San Beda College
9.5 points--- University of Perpetual Help Dalta System
8.0 points--- De La Salle-College of St. Benilde
6.0 points--- Emilio Aguinaldo College
3.5 points--- Mapua Institute of Technology
2.5 point--- Jose Rizal University
0---Arellano University

BY: Marlon Bernardino