MANILA — Defending champion University of Santo Tomas made an emphatic start to its UAAP high school chess title defense, delivering near-perfect performances in both divisions on Saturday at the BGPOP Building on UST's Manila campus.
The Junior Male Woodpushers swept guest team Southridge, 4-0, while their female counterparts fashioned a 3.5-0.5 victory over Ateneo High School to give UST a pair of rousing opening-round wins.
Jian Carlo Rivera [1.0/1.0], National Master Gabriel Paradero [1.0/1.0], Jude Dableo [1.0/1.0], and Marlon Balbaboco Jr. [1.0/1.0] swept their respective boards against Romeo Reyes III [0.0/1.0], Arena FIDE Master Carl Nathan Importante [0.0/1.0], Gael Garcia [0.0/1.0], and Romeo Funtila [0.0/1.0] to complete UST's romp in the boys' division.
National Master Gabriel Paradero of UST in the UAAP Season 89 high school chess tournament. UAAP Media
Over in the girls' division, Penelope Sanchez [1.0/1.0] and Gilasea Hilario [1.0/1.0] delivered full points on Boards 2 and 4, respectively, against Serenity Pesino [0.0/1.0] and Caitlyn Oh [0.0/1.0].
Kara Meneses [0.5/1.0] then split the point with Mikayla Tusi [0.5/1.0] on Board 3, while Angela Sotaridona [1.0/1.0] won by default on Board 1 against Sapphire Abaño [0.0/1.0] to complete UST's 3.5-point haul.
Adamson University likewise enjoyed a dominant opening round, sweeping De La Salle Zobel, 4-0, in both the Boys' and Girls' divisions.
In the boys' division, Allan Dolfo [1.0/1.0], Ashton Fratkin [1.0/1.0], Jian Bautista [1.0/1.0], and Bince Operiano [1.0/1.0] turned back Gian Marco Caguiat [0.0/1.0], Kervin Dominguez [0.0/1.0], Collin Chiong [0.0/1.0], and Kenzie Ong [0.0/1.0], respectively.
Crystal Sunga [1.0/1.0], Athena Casas [1.0/1.0], Samantha Mislang [1.0/1.0], and Reianah Dueñas [1.0/1.0] replicated the feat in the girls' division with victories over Sophia Orosa [0.0/1.0], Sarah Cabodil [0.0/1.0], Xophi Holgado [0.0/1.0], and Jeslyn Santos [0.0/1.0], respectively.
Far Eastern University-Diliman completed the trio of opening-round winners in the Boys' Division after dispatching Ateneo High School, 3.5-0.5.
National Master Joemel Narzabal [1.0/1.0], National Master Angelo Mallorca [1.0/1.0], and Arena International Master Lord Yofiel Young [1.0/1.0] delivered full points for FEU-D against Arena International Master Marc Fua [0.0/1.0], Arena FIDE Master Ronell Co [0.0/1.0], and Bryan Landicho [0.0/1.0], respectively.
King Xyan Beltran [0.5/1.0] supplied the remaining half-point after drawing Arena International Master Joachim Manuel [0.5/1.0] on Board 2.
FEU-D also emerged victorious in the Girls' Division after edging National University, 2.5-1.5.
Woman National Master Bonjoure Suyamin [1.0/1.0] defeated Mica Clar [0.0/1.0] on Board 2, while Giecel Pacubat [1.0/1.0] delivered another full point against Thea Clar [0.0/1.0] on Board 4.
Khana Ventolero [0.5/1.0] split the point with Arena International Master Zneria Venal [0.5/1.0] on Board 3, while Arena FIDE Master Ryien Bahita [1.0/1.0] accounted for NU's lone victory after defeating LJ Getubig [0.0/1.0] on Board 1.