SCUAA-NCR CHESS

RTU CLAIMES ITS 15TH CONSECUTIVE TITLE

Team Standings after round 4: (Game points, Single round-robin format)

Men's division:
15.5 points—RTU; 5.5 points— PHILSCA, EARIST; 4—TUP; PUP—1.5 points

Women's division
11.5 points—RTU; 8.5 points—EARIST; 4 points— PHILSCA; 3.5 points—TUP; 3 points—PUP

RIZAL Technological University (RTU) blanked Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), 4-0, to claim its 15th consecutive men's chess title in the 20th season of State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-National Capital Region (SCUAA-NCR) was held at the 2nd floor Conference Room in Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) Campus in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Despite one round to go, the Blue Thunder are already assured to retain their men's chess title after finishing a total 15.5 points, 10 points ahead with Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Technology (EARIST) and host school Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA), both with 5.5 points each. Earist took a bye in the fourth round while philSCA whitewashed Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), 3-1.

RTU woodpusher which are composed of Edsel Montoya, Paulo James Florendo, Richelieu Salcedo and Randolf Dalauta also routed PUP, 4-0, Earist, 4-0, last Tuesday then beat PhilSCA, 3.5-0.5, Wednesday morning session.

"Our victory in the men's chess competition again we are dedicated to our beloved (RTU) president Dr. Jose Q. Macaballug and most especially to God Almighty," said RTU men's coach engineer Dennis Mejia, the 1997 Las Vegas, Nevada North American Open Chess runner-up.

In the fifth and final round, RTU took a bye, PUP opposite TUP while Earist goes up against PhilSCA.

Engineer Mejia along with fellow coach Hernani Quillenguen and 1994 Moscow Olympian NM Mauro Yasay produced chess master under their watchful eyes in the likes of GM candidate Roland Salvador, 1996 Philippine Junior Champion and national masters (NMs) Roberto Suelo, Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Romeo Alcodia, Nicomedes Alisangco, Robert Arellano, Nelson Villanueva and Julius Sinangote and heavy-weight non-masters such as Edwin Llamo, Cesar Apalla, Jose Aquino, Rainier Labay, Ronnie Tamares, Christopher Tan, Rector Abinal and Eduardo Campos, among others.

In the distaff side, RTU women's team edges TUP, 2.5-1.5, to raise their total 11.5 points, 3 points head with Earist with 8.5 points. philSCA beat PUP, 2.5-1.5.
However, RTU bye in the last round needed to pray that Earist will loss to PhilSCA in the last round to retain their women's title.

Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO