FEU dominates UAAP chess

The way board warriors of the Far Eastern University are performing in the 72nd edition of the UAAP Chess competition will surely tell you that there is something right in what they do.

Imagine, FEU has so far dominated all divisions in the league's chess competitions after the first half!

Perhaps, the secret lies in the hands of FEU's chess coach GM Jayson Gonzales. What's the secret, coach?

Or probably, the secret is the coach himself.

Let's read the report from Marlon Bernardino:

First Half of UAAP Chess

(Seniors Women’s)

18.5 points---FEU
17 points---ADMU
12.5 points---DLSU
11.5 points---UP
9 points---NU
8 points---UST
7.5 points---UE

(Seniors Men’s)

20 points---FEU (superior tie break)
20 points---UST
17 points---UE
13.5 points---UP
13 points---DLSU
11 points---ADU
11 points---NU
6.5 points---ADMU

(Juniors)

18.5 points---FEU (superior tie break)
18.5 points---ADU
16 points---UE
13.5 points---NU
13 points---ADMU
3 points---UST
1.5 points---DLS-Z

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---WITHOUT previous instance, the Far Eastern University chess team is leading 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 on Sunday.

“Our hard work has paid off but still long way to go,” said FEU head coach two-time Olympian member GM Jayson Gonzales in an interview of this writer last Sunday.

“I believe, an unprecedented na leading ang isang school sa isang event matapos ang first round ng UAAP chess,” he added.

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

“Inspirado po kaming maglaro kasi grabe ang suporta ng management/ officials ng Far Eastern University sa mga athletes,”said top board player Senora, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday.

“Ito na siguro ang isa sa magandang regalo sa birthday ko, leading kami sa UAAP chess matapos ang 1st round,” 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.

FEU assistant coach NM Alex Milagrosa commented: “Mahirap din y’ung mag no.1 ka pagkatapos ng 1st round. Lahat ng team ay nakatutok sayo. Kaya doble handa talaga ang gagawin namin ni coach GM Jayson (Gonzales). Pero sa isang banda iba na s’yempre y’ung nakalalamang ng puntos at hawak mo ‘yung momentum.”

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’s in the leadership boards.

FEU and UST, both tallied a total 20 points, however the former (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 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.

“Masaya na kami (UST) matapos ang 1st round kasi ka tie namin ang 3-peat champion FEU,” said another birthday celebrant Peter Lim, member of the coaching staff of Growling Tigers with include 2003 Vungtau, Vietnam 3.2 Asian Zonal champion GM elect Ronald Dableo and National Master/ Fide arbiter Winston Silva.

In the Juniors’ side, it was a neck-to-neck battle between two-time defending champion Baby Falcons and Baby Tamaraw who both finish 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.

“Ok na din ‘yung mag No.2 matapos ang first round, kasi pag nag no.1 ka sa 1st round ay bye ka sa pagsisimula ng 2nd round next weekend. Para hindi maputol ang 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.