SAN Beda College downed Lyceum of the Philippines University, 3-1, to claim the seniors’ title, while Letran trounced Perpetual Help, 3.5-.5, to snare the juniors’ crown in the 93rd NCAA chess competitions at the LPU Auditorium over the weekend.
FIDE Master Mari Joseph Turqueza and Marc Christian Nazario delivered the wins on boards one and three, while McDominique Lagula and Prince Mark Aquino split the point with Romulo Curioso Jr. and Virgen Gil Ruaya on second and fourth boards, respectively, to complete the Lions’ successful title defense.
The Squires, for their part, relied on triumphs by Christian Mark Daluz, Melito Ocsan, Jr. and Eric Robert Yap on the first three boards, while Alexis Anne Osena halved the point with Jerome Angelo Aragones to seal the championship.
Perpetual Help, however, will go home knowing it defied the odds as it carved out one of its best finishes in the sport after a long while.
Meanwhile, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers will try to get back on the winning track when they clash with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 2 p.m. today in the 93rd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
After absorbing a 109-115 setback at the hands of the Arellano Chiefs last Sept. 7, the Heavy Bombers are looking for a win that will keep them safe in solo fourth place.
They have a 2-game lead over the San Sebastian Stags and the Knights with their 7-4 record in fourth. Doing so will keep the Heavy Bombers in contention for the Final 4. Peter Atencio
In junior action, the Letran Squires (7-4) fight the Arellano Braves and will seek a victory that will put them in third place.
Basketball Games Today
(The Arena in San Juan)
12 nn EAC vs JRU (jrs)
2 p.m. EAC vs JRU (srs)
4 p.m. Arellano vs Letran (srs)
6 p.m. Arellano vs Letran (jrs)