Far Eastern University ended National University’s three-year reign in the men’s division, while De La Salle ruled the women’s trophy for the second straight year in the UAAP Season 81 chess tournament over the weekend at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Tamaraws collected a 14-round total of 40 points to claim their 14th men’s crown overall, while the Lady Woodpushers from Taft snared their ninth tiara in the distaff side after finishing with 43 points.
FEU secured the men’s championship in the 13th round following a 2-2 stalemate with De La Salle Saturday. The Morayta-based chessers then put the icing on the cake with 2.5-1.5 win over eventual third placers Adamson University in the final round Sunday.
Rookie of the Year winner Jeth Morado led the Tamaraws by winning the Board 2 gold, while Romy Fagon was the team’s other gold medalist in Board 4.
The Bulldogs saw their dynasty end after a 2-2 draw with University of the East Saturday.
As a consolation for NU, International Master Paulo Bersamina, who topped Board 1, was named the season MVP for the fourth year in a row. Arnel Ilagan was the other gold medalist for NU in Board 6.
The Lady Woodpushers drew the best from WCM Mira Mirano was named the tournament MVP and Board 1 gold medalist, while her teammate Samantha Revita bagged the Rookie of the Year honors, as well as the Board 4 gold.
De La Salle blanked FEU, 4-0, to seal the title in the 13th round Saturday before ending the season with a 3.5-0.5 win over University of the Philippines Sunday.
Ella Moulic was the Lady Woodpushers’ other gold medalist in Board 3.
The Lady Maroons and the Lady Falcons finished second and third, respectively.
In the juniors’ division, FEU-Diliman won the boys’ title for the fourth straight year with Dale Bernardo, a veteran of the 19th Asean Chess Age Group Championship, winning the season MVP honors, while NU annexed its first-ever girls crown behind tournament MVP Fide Master Allanney Jia Doroy.