NU, UP keep lead in Spartan Philippine Inter-Collegiate chess

by Marlon Bernardino

Team Standings after Round 3:

(Men's Division)

10.0 points---National University

8.5 points---Arellano University

8.0 points---San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Adamson University

6.5 points---Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A, University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University Team B

6.0 points---University of Sto. Tomas

5.5 points---Rizal Technological University

5.0 points---Far Eastern University Team A, Lyceum of the Philippines University Team B, University of Batangas

(Women's Division)

8.5 points---University of the Philippines, National University

7.0 points--- Adamson University

6.0 points---Far Eastern University Team A

5.5 points--- Far Eastern University Team B

4.5 points---University of Sto. Tomas

4.0 points---University of Batangas

Manila---National University (NU) and University of the Philippines (UP) continued to lord it over in their respective division in the the on-going Spartan Mining Philippine Inter-Collegiate Chess Team Championship being held at the Library and Media room of Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila.

Under the tutelage of head coach Jose "Jojo" Aquino, the NU Bulldgos Mens team headed by Vince Angelo Medina, Austin Jacob Literatus, Virgen Gil Ruaya, Jefferson Mansanero and John Ray Batucan raised their total 10.0 points after three games of play to remained on top.

Medina defeated Batucan in Round 2 then drew with International Master (IM) Joel Pimentel of Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A in Round 3.

Literatus toppled Steven James Dacanay of University of Sto. Tomas then drew with Ruaya. Ruaya, earlier beat Jan Francis Mirano of Lyceum of the Philippines University Team A in Round 2.

Mansanero subdued Kritz Albelar of Rizal Technological University then split the point with Kevin Mirano of Far Eastern University Team B.

After losing to Medina, Batucan routed Aldous Roy Coronel of University of the Philippines in Round 3.

The straight nine Round Swiss-System tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., hosted by  President and CEO of Spartan Mining and Development Corporation and NCFP Director for Finance Luis G. Ramos in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

According to International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, the format calls the combined total score of the top four players of each team, four to count shall constitute the final team standings using the grandprix system. Tournament director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.

In the distaff side, playing under the watchful eye of Fide Master (FM) Leonardo Carlos and Woman International Master (WIM) Catherine Perena, the UP Lady Fighting Maroons composed of Woman National Master (WNM) Christy Bernales, Roxanne Atayde, reigning NCR-Shell National Youth Active Chess girls champion Arvie Lozano, Joanna Vanessa Barbosa and Ruth Aubrey de Guzman accumulated total 8.5 points.

Also on top with 8.5 points are National University led by Jean Karen Enriquez, Lucelle Bermundo, Quinna Louise Soler, Hiezel Coraje and Queenie Lyn Reyes.

Bernales nipped Loraine Salinas of University of Sto. Tomas in Round 2 then drew with Mariel Batulan of Adamson University in Round 3. Atayde drew with Arvie Lozano of University of the Philippines and Eunice Joy Whigan of Adamson University, respectively. After halving the point with Atayde, Lozano also drew with Soler. Barbosa, meantime drew with Michella Concio of University of Sto. Tomas then beat Jemima Valdez of Far Eastern University Team B, in order. However, De Guzman bowed to Soler in Round 2 and was yielded to Michelle Yaon of University of Sto. Tomas in Round 3.

Enriquez beat Shayxanthe Lois Guico of University of Sto. Tomas then dealt Anna Marie Ocampo of University of Batangas, Bermundo drew with Whigan and Nikki Erica Yngayo of Far Eastern University Team A. Coraje beat Marie Fe De Ocampo of University of Batangas and Enrica Villa of Far Eastern University Team A and Reyes drew with Crissa Canada of Adamson University then nipped Elosa Sta. Rita also from Adamson University.