The DLSU Green Woodpushers and Lady Woodpushers began their respective UAAP Season 79 campaigns with a win and draw last February 4 and 5, with the Chess Tournament held at the 4th Floor of the Henry Sy Sr. Building in DLSU. Because of La Salle’s performance, both teams fell to the middle of the pack but remain within striking distance of the top spots of their respective divisions.
Day one
The Green Woodpushers could not take an early lead in the standings after settling for a 2.0-2.0 draw with the AdU Soaring Falcons on opening day. Jeazzir Surposa and Gio Mejia came away with draws over AdU’s Kristian Arellano and Mark Labog. Denzel Amar was the lone Green Woodpusher to add a point to the team tally with a victory over AdU’s Godfrey Villamor.
Meanwhile, the Lady Woodpushers completely outclassed their rivals, the ADMU Lady Eagles, 3.0-1.0, in their first matchup of the competition. DLSU’s Bernadette Galas and Ella Moulic were successful in their individual matchups against Aryanne De Ocampo and Jasmine Principe, respectively. Joy Acedo and Marie San Diego finished their solo matches against Ana De Duque and Brena Membrere, respectively, with draws.
Day two
Day two started with the Green Woodpushers winning 2.5-1.5 against the ADMU Blue Eagles. DLSU’s first match involved Surpossa against ADMU’s William Yao, which ended with a tie, 0.5-0.5. Mejia faced off against Blue Eagle Lorenzo Marquez and won DLSU’s first match, 1-0. Christian Nanola had the same result as Mejia for La Salle and took victory over Gavin Ong. The last match of DLSU had Amar losing to Jose Lat, 1-0.
The Lady Woodpushers ended their day with a 2.0-2.0 draw against FEU Lady Tamaraws. Galas’ first match for the Green-and-White closed with a loss, 1.0-0, versus FEU’s Venice Vicente, while San Diego and Shania Mendoza battled to a 0.5-0.5 draw. The next game between Acedo and Venice Vicente also ended in a draw with the same scoreline. Mira Mirano was the only player to win a match for DLSU against Babylyn Salangan, 1.0-0.
With their results over the weekend, the Green Woodpushers finished with 4.5 points, behind the league-leading FEU Tamaraws (7.0) and defending champions, the NU Bulldogs (6.5). Through two matches, the Lady Woodpushers are currently in second place with 5.0 points, behind league leaders, the UST Growling Tigresses, who finished with 6.5 points.
La Salle will return to action next Sunday, February 12, when the Green Woodpushers take on the NU Bulldogs, while the Lady Woodpushers face the UP Lady Maroons. As of press time, both matchups will be at 8:30 am on the 4th floor of the Henry Sy Sr. Building in DLSU.
