Far Eastern University (FEU) Male and Female Woodpushers capped off their season campaign on a relentless charge, prevailing to be the top force in the recently concluded University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s and women’s chess tournament last Sunday, October 27 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.

In men’s division, Tamaraw Woodpushers clinched the back-to-back championship titles and notched their 15th crown after registering a 43-point tally with a 12-1-1 win-draw-loss card, while silver medalists UST Growling Tigers tallied 35.5 points with 10-1-3 record. The University of the Philippines (UP) claimed the bronze finish with a 26.5-point tally.

By being on a staggering 7.5-point lead, FEU remained victorious in the 14th round despite absorbing its first loss of the season, 1.5-2.5, against UST Male Woodpushers.

FEU’s John Merill Jacutina grabbed both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year (ROY) awards.

Moreover, the powerhouse team dominated the individual awards as they rallied and took home four golds out of six boards, courtesy from Jeth Romy Morado, Rhenzi Sevillano, Jacutina and Israelito Rilloraza. Tams’ skipper John Jasper Laxamana and Darry Bernardo both had silver medals.

“Tulad po ng sinabi ko lastyear, dinoble po namin [ang effort]. Ngayon triniple namin para mapatunayan na kami talaga ang champion at ‘yung [pagiging] champion namin lastyear hindi lang basta chamba (Like what I said last year, we doubled [our efforts]. This year we tripled it so we can show everyone we deserve that title and it wasn’t just pure luck),”said Laxamana.

While in women’s division, FEU regained its title after having a 40-point tally with a 11-2-1 win-draw-loss slate and dethroning the two-time defending champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Woodpushers, who finished in sliver with a total of 38.5 points. UST placed third with 35.5 points.

Lady Tamaraw Woodpushers pulled off a last minute crucial win against the Tigresses of Espanya, 2.5-1.5, securing their lead courtesy of Woman International Master (WIM) Shania Mendoza’s victory.

FEU also prevailed in the women’s individual awards with a 2-2-1 gold-silver-bronze medal tally. WIM Mendoza grabbed the MVP recognition, while Bea Mendoza was recognized with a ROY award.

The perennial top contenders of the said league brought home the first two championship titles of the season for the green-and-gold community. As of press time, we can expect that the Tamaraw chessers will run it back next year still being a force to be reckoned with the dominance they showed this season.

- Carlo Angelo Sarabia