THE DYNASTY of the UST Male Woodpushers remains intact as they won their fourth straight crown in the UAAP Season 87 men’s chess tilt.
The Male Woodpushers topped the standings with 17 match points and 35.5 game points built on eight wins, one draw and one defeat.
“We’re happy… now, a four-peat,” UST head coach Ronald Dableo told The Flame.
After securing the title in its dominant 3.5-0.5 win over Adamson last Nov. 17, UST closed out the season with a draw against the UP Fighting Maroons in a non-bearing match, 2-2 on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the Adamson University Gymnasium.
Although not playing in the curtain-closer, UST’s FIDE Master Mark Christian Daluz bagged the Most Valuable Player award.
Woodpusher Chester Reyes started things off with a draw against FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan on Board 1.
On Board 2, UST’s Jan Clifford Labog had a stalemate with Arena International Master Cyrus Francisco.
The España squad’s Lee Palma held Arena International Master Roderenz Adra to a draw on Board 3 in 42 moves.
In his last game for UST, Julius Gonzales topped it all off with a draw against Francis Magpily on Board 4.
“Our players are veterans, we only have one rookie… Maybe that’s how they were able to bounce back,” Dableo said.
UST captain Melito Ocsan Jr. and Gonzales bid farewell to the team as they are set to graduate this school year.
In the women’s division, the UST Ladypushers settled for sixth place after falling to bronze medalists NU Lady Bulldogs, 2.5-1.5.
NU’s Allanney Doroy outmaneuvered UST’s team captain Josemier Panol on Board 1.
On Board 2, Lady Woodpusher Precious Yecla settled for a draw against Yana de Vera in 58 moves.
The Lady Bulldogs conquered Board 3 as Natasja Balabbo crushed Faith Tabungar’s resistance in just 26 moves.
Princes Oncita won UST a point by defeating Princess Ballete on Board 4. F – Francia Migyel Violeta with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
