Back-to-back victories gave the DLSU Green Woodpushers a fighting chance to barge into the top ranks while the DLSU Lady Woodpushers continued to dominate the UAAP Season 76 Chess Tournament during their matches held last February 16 and 19 at the Enrique Razon Sports Complex in De La Salle University.
The Green Woodpushers were consistent in both of their matches as they clinched two 2.5 – 1.5 wins against the defending champion UST Growling Tigers and the UP Fighting Maroons. Jeazzir Kline Surposa fell short early on as he lost to UP’s Kristian Paolo Cristobal, but the reigning rookie of the year Jan Galan and sophomore Aglipay Oberio outplayed the Maroons’ Aldous Roy Coronel and John Edison Ubaldo to retaliate Surposa’s loss. The matchup concluded with a stalemate between DLSU’s Franz Grafil and Fighting Maroon Wilbert Pilarta that gave them their eighth win to go with three losses and one draw.
Meanwhile, the Lady Woodpushers’ 10-game winning streak came to a halt as their bout against the AdU Lady Falcons, whom they defeated earlier in the tournament, ended in a 2.0 – 2.0 draw. The three-time defending champions came back strong with their first sweep of the tournament against the University of the East, 4.0 – 0.0, three days after. Judith Pineda bested Jessica Visca before Rowelyn Acedo dealt first blood against Chessa May Nadera. Team captain Jodi Fronda and Bernadette Galas also managed to get the victory over Crystal Jade Werba and Joymee Morales respectively.
After twelve rounds, the Green Woodpushers are still within striking distance at fourth place in the Men’s Division, 28.5 points behind FEU, AdU, and UST, while the Lady Woodpushers are still on the top of the Women’s Division with a whopping 37.5 points.
Both Green Woodpushers and Lady Woodpushers will rekindle the undying collegiate rivalry as they face the ADMU Blue Eagles and Lady Eagles on February 22. Both teams then take on the NU Bulldogs and the UP Lady Maroons respectively in the last round slated on February 23. Both playing dates will be held at the Enrique Razon Sports Complex in De La Salle University.
