Among the key contributors to DLSU’s third UAAP General Championship (GC) were the DLSU Green Woodpushers and Lady Woodpushers. Both chess teams remain as among the league’s elite despite the loss of a number of key veterans.
The Lady Woodpushers enter Season 79 as the defending champions after overcoming a stacked field that included FEU and Grandmaster (GM) Janelle Frayna. For the Green Woodpushers, 2016 produced mixed results as they could not distance themselves from the competition after the sudden departure of Season 77 Rookie of the Year and MVP Jerad Docena. A late rally in the final matches, however, allowed them finish the season in third place after staying in fourth for most of the tournament.
Head coach Randy Segarra enters this season with the task of trying to improve the performance of his wards, with the focus being on individual skill and gaining overall experience that will add to the championship composure both teams have.
“Last year is last year, last season is last season. Again, this season is another season and we need to start from scratch,” he emphasizes.
Positive Season 78 and Unigames results
The Lady Woodpushers fared well over the course of their 2016 season as they clinched their fifth title in six years by maintaining a sizable cushion over eventual runner up, the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 42.5-38.5, through two rounds. International Master (IM) Bernadette Galas led the Lady Woodpushers to the title, coming home with the MVP honors for her efforts on the board.
Meanwhile, the Green Woodpushers started strong in their first three games, but plateaued during the middle to latter stages of the season. It was during their season finale versus the FEU Tamaraws where they closed the tournament on a high note, edging their rivals, 3.0-1.0, and securing a 29-28.5 cushion that allowed DLSU to take third place.
The teams fared well over the offseason, capping off their successful Unigames campaigns with respective first-place finishes that give them momentum heading into Season 79.
Preparations for Season 79
The team’s preparations have been nothing but intense as they were given an advance notice by Segarra to continue working on their individual skills and their strategizing and execution on the chess board. Though they mixed computer-simulated programs with their training regimen because of the unpredictability it provides, Segarra explains that they would prefer real matchups on the board.
“We focused on problem solving tactical training, and we have tournaments during the summer. This year, we’re focusing on positional play or mainly banking on the more subjective part [of] the game,” he adds.
Rigorous training aside, Acedo also adds that Segarra reminds them that through all the pressure and trials, they should always have that positive outlook when playing. She adds that their veterans were instrumental to them handling the pressure, as they, along with Segarra, always tried to inspire them throughout the season.
“Coach Randy always remind us to just enjoy our games [and] evaluate the position clearly. He also reminds us when we are lost in the opening, we just have to follow the basic principles of chess, and when we feel pressure, we should take it positively,” she says.
Outlook for the season
Expectations for both teams are high and for them to fulfill that, they need to address a number of issues heading into the competition. Segarra has emphasized execution and proper planning, while both captains have focused on sustaining their strengths and limiting their errors. They hope to avoid inconsistency through their rigorous training and working on their situational plays. They also aim to be ready for their toughest opponent, which according to Denzel Jenamore, is the NU Bulldogs.
“My concern is consistency, kasi ito ang problema sa team. Meron kaming skills at talent. Ang problema is consistency. Kailangan palaging consistent kami each and every game,” says Green Woodpushers team captain Jenamore.
As for the Lady Woodpushers, the pressure is on them to prove they have what it takes to bring another title to DLSU. The Lady Woodpushers are keen on keeping their crown as they still have Galas and FIDE Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, veterans who are more than able to help team captain Acedo in carrying the team.
“All teams are strong contenders, but our rival team is FEU, which was first runner up last season and UP [who was] second runner up,” Acedo says, adding that she wants to make sure that the team can be composed under pressure.
Now that the season is underway, all the training, simulations, and conditioning will be put to the test. Though she earlier mentioned that she will serve as a mentor to her team, Acedo stresses that the mentorship she and coach Segarra can provide and the individual effort from each member can spell the difference between a first place and second place finish.
Wanting to improve on their third-place finish, Jenamore mentions that along with consistency, discipline will play a crucial role in how they will fare this season. “Kung maabot namin ang maximum strength namin sa season, championship,” he says.
“I just motivate them, I just give them the right focus [and] the right attitude towards the game. Every game is a learning process, we cannot discard the past [and] we cannot discard simple things,” Segarra says. “Everything will come into place and we just need to use all of these things to make our games better, and most of all, play with our hearts out.”
The Lady Woodpushers and Green Woodpushers will open their respective campaigns tomorrow, February 4, at 12 noon in the Henry Sy Sr. Hall in DLSU-Manila. The women’s and men’s teams will face the ADMU Lady Eagles and AdU Soaring Falcons, respectively.
