Far Eastern University Chess Teams dominated the UAAP Season 88 Blitz Chess Championships after winning three out of the four divisions. It was gold all the way for the FEU Women’s, FEU Diliman High School Boys’ and Girls’ Chess Teams, while the FEU Men’s Chess Team narrowly missed on making it a clean sweep for the school.
In the women’s division, FEU edged Ateneo in a tightly contested semifinal series, 2-2, 2.5-1.5, 2.5-1.5, before engaging La Salle in a gripping finals showdown.
After settling for 2-2 draws in the first two rounds, the Morayta-based squad found its breakthrough in Round 3, with Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas delivering a crucial win on Board 2 to power a 3-1 victory.
The Lady Tamaraws sustained their momentum to close out the series with another 3-1 win in Round 4.
Derotas capped off FEU’s dominant campaign by clinching the MVP award following a gold medal finish on Board 3.
“It feels really nice na maexperience na mag-MVP kasi this is my first MVP as well. And to me, na magkaroon ng special award, hindi lang siya individual medal, is something to be proud of. It feels really nice. It feels really great,” shared Derotas.
Woman FIDE Master Francesca Largo (Board 1), Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian (Board 4), and Kate Ordizo (Board 5) each added silver medals for FEU, while Samantha Umayan (Board 6) chipped in a gold.
FEU’s Woman FIDE Master April Joy Carlos settled for a bronze medal on Board 2.
The Morayta-based squad also took home the MVP award in the men’s division, with International Master Mark Jay Bacojo delivering a standout performance on Board 1 to lead FEU to a runner-up finish against eventual champion, University of Santo Tomas.
“Being an MVP is just a bonus. The most important thing talaga is the team. UAAP is a team tournament. Still sad na we only got second place, but I’m still happy for the FEU Chess Team kasi nakuha namin yung championship sa ibang divisions,” said Bacojo.
The Tamaraws also secured the Rookie of the Year honors courtesy of Jerish John Velarde, who delivered a steady campaign on Board 2, highlighted by a silver medal finish.
On Board 5, Franklin Andes contributed another gold medal for FEU, while Dale Bernardo (Board 3) added a bronze.
Meanwhile, FEU Diliman completed a sweep of the boys’ and girls’ titles with dominant finals performances in the UAAP Season 88 High School Blitz Chess Championship on Sunday at the Adamson Gym.
After seeing its multi-season reign in the high school classical event come to an end earlier this season, FEU-D head coach and Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales emphasized that the team’s blitz sweep served as both redemption and a historic milestone for the program.
“We’re just so happy to be part of history. First time kasi na maging regular sport ang blitz sa UAAP and FEU ang nakakuha ng tatlo out of four division titles. That’s history and quite an achievement para sa school and sa players,” said Gonzales on FEU-D’s latest milestone in UAAP chess.
National team mainstay and Woman International Master Ruelle Canino anchored FEU-D’s redemption campaign in the girls’ division, capturing the MVP award along with a gold medal on Board 1.
“Very fulfilling kasi po natupad ko yung sinabi kong babawi kami. It’s very special kasi last season ko na sa high school and lahat ng teammates ko nagcontribute. Lahat po kami nag-effort,” shared the 18-year-old prodigy.
The Canino-led Baby Lady Tams dominated Adamson University in the semifinals, scoring back-to-back 4-0 sweeps in Rounds 1 and 2 before clinching a finals berth with a 2.5-1.5 result in Round 3, setting up a title showdown against National University Nazareth School.
The Diliman-based squad sustained its lethal form in the finals, needing only three rounds to secure the inaugural blitz crown through convincing victories, 3-1, 3.5-0.5, 3-1.
FEU-D’s LJ Getubig, who topped Board 5, was named Rookie of the Year.
Ericka Ordizo (Board 2) struck gold, while Lyn Getubig (Board 3) settled for silver. Franiel Magpily (Board 4) and Ann Beatrice Bombales (Board 6) each earned bronze medals to round out FEU-D’s podium haul.
Arena Candidate Master Joemel Narzabal (Board 2) and Lance Orlina (Board 4) contributed silver medals for the newly crowned blitz champions.
In the boys’ division, rookie King Xyan Beltran led the Baby Tamaraws to the title as they toppled top-seeded University of Santo Tomas in the finals, 3-1, 2-2, 2.5-1.5.
Beltran went undefeated on the top board to clinch the MVP award.
“Malaking bagay po ito sa akin (yung MVP) kasi first time ko lang mag-UAAP. Sulit po talaga yung binigay kong hard work and training,” shared the rookie standout.
Fellow FEU-D rookie Lord Yofiel Young was named Rookie of the Year after a silver medal finish on Board 6, while Gladimir Romero (Board 3) delivered a gold medal performance.
Photos and release from the UAAP Media
