ROUND 5: FEU REMAINS ON TOP IN UAAP JR CHESS

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

Team Standings after round 5:

(Junior divisions)
14 points--- FEU
12.5 points---ADU
12 points---UE
10.5 points--- ADMU
6.5 points---NU
3 points---UST
1.5 points---DLS-Zobel

(Senior mens divisions)
16.5 points---UST
13.5 points---FEU
12.5 points---UE
10 points---DLSU
8 points---UP
7 points---ADU
7 points---NU
5.5 points---ADMU

(Senior womens divisions)
14.5 points---ADMU
11.5 points---FEU
9 points---DLSU
7.5 points---UP
7.5 points---NU
5 points---UST
5 points--UE

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY defeated host University of Sto. Tomas, 4-0, to remain on top in the junior division of the 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 on Sunday.

The Baby Tamaraws playing under the tutelage of GM Jayson Gonzales which is backed up by President Anton Montinola (FEU President), Mark Molina (FEU athletic director), and Dr. Miriam Garcia ( FEU Fern directress) is compose of Paul Robert Evangelista, Vince Angelo Medina, Mc Dominique Lagula and Jose Carlo Castro.

Evangelista downed UST’s Maria Leonora Daylo after 42 moves of Sicilian defense on board 1, Medina beat Nico Adriel Paguagan after 39 moves of another Sicilian on board 2, Lagula defeated Dustin Padilla after 18 moves of Pirc defense on board 3 while Castro outplayed John Michael Yao after 28 moves of another Sicilian skirmish on board 4.

After five round of action, over-all, the Morayta-based squad tallied a total 14 points.

“Still a long way to go, pero maganda ‘yung nakakauna na.” said FEU head coach GM Jayson Gonzales.

“Inspirado ang mga bata maganda kasi ang suporta nina President Anton Montinola (FEU President), Sir Mark Molina (FEU athletic director), at Dr. Miriam Garcia (FEU Fern directress),” added GM Gonzales who help the Tamaraws to snatch the over-all championships in the12th Rakan Muda GACC (Grand Asean Chess Challenge) World Inter-Varsity Chess Championships 2007 held at the Auditorium Perdana Siswa, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Assistant coach is NM Alex Milagrosa.

Back-to-back champion Baby Falcons under coach Christopher Rodriguez, meantime ended into a 2-2 draw over the Junior Warriors of coach Henry Mariano.

Baby Falcons still on second with 12.5 points followed by the Junior Warriors with 12 points.

Ali Guya and Jesse Abucejo combined forces for the Baby Falcons beating Bryan Barcelon and Chessa May Nadera on board 2 and 4 while NM Alcon John Datu and WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales provided the twin kill for the Junior Warriors after nipping Timothy John So-Kua and Steven James Dacanay on board 1 and 3, respectively.

The Blue Eaglets, meanwhile blanked the Junior Archers, 4-0, to raise their total 10.5 points for fourth place. The Bullpups took a bye yesterday.

In the Senior men’s category, host University of Sto. Tomas avenge the loss of their junior player after blanking Ateneo de Manila University, 4-0, to remain on top with 16.5 points.

“Sana mahawakan namin ang momentum,” said GM Ronald Dableo, NM Winston Silva and Peter Lim, member of the coaching staff of the Growling Tigers.

Three-time champion FEU, on the other hand salvaged a 2-2 draw over University of the Philippines of coach Fide Master Leonardo Carlos. The Tamaraws still at second place with 13.5 points. In other results, UE beat ADU, 3.5-0.5, as well DLSU defeated NU, 3.5-0.5.

In the distaff side, the Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Maroons, 4-0, to remain at no.1 position with 14.5 points.