FEU, UP, ADAMSON OFF TO GOOD START IN UAAP CHESS

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

THE Far Eastern University, University of the Philippines and Adamson University got off to a great start in their respective division in the second round of 73rd UAAP chess tournament at the FEU New Tech Mini Auditorium in Manila on Sunday.

The Morayta based squad, under the tutelage of FEU head coach GM Jayson Gonzales and assistant coach NM Alex Milagrosa, opening their fifth-peat bid on a bright note, as Sheider Nabato beat Wilbert Pilarta after 73 moves of Kings Idian defense, Alfred Rapanot downed Marc Christian Nazario after 25 moves of Veresov Opening and Antonio Chavez Jr. edged Simon del Rosario after 33 moves of Kings Indian defense, on board 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

Board 1 player Leo Daylo Jr. saved the day for a possible shut-out loss of the Diliman State University settling a draw with Tamaraws Lennon Heart Salgados after 35 moves of Queens Indian defense in the men's senior category.

" So far so good, we are looking forward another banner year for FEU Tamaraw chess team," said head coach two-time olympian GM Jayson Gonzales.

In the women's side, the coach Leonardo Carlos of UP beat Adamson University. Marvie Exconde, Krizza Abasolo, Cheyzer Mendoza and Joana Barbosa led the fighting Maroons into a victory over Nayra Dulce, Eloisa Sat. Rita, Gian Perez and Eunice Whigan.

The Baby Falcons under coach Christopher Rodriguez, meantime blanked the Baby Warriors, 3-1, for the junior division. Tyrone delos Santos, Timothy So Kua and Karen Enriquez beat EM Cortez, Bryan Barcelon, and Carl Bernales.

AP Datu provided the full point for Baby Warrios as he beat Das Vergara on board 4. Last Saturday, FEU defeated UST, 3.5-.5, in the seniors men's division, UP drew with Ateneo, 2-2, in the women's side while three-peat champion Adamson took a bye in the juniors category.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/ Chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Asia's First GM Eugene Torre, FEU athletic director Mark Oliver Molina, Richard Palouof Ateneo and Jocelyn de Leon of UAAP board led the opening rites.