The DLSU Woodpushers began their respective UAAP Season 81 campaigns with wins and losses last September 19, 22, and 23, with the Chess Tournament held at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion, Sampaloc, Manila.
Day one
On the first day of the competition, the DLSU Green Woodpushers fell to the UP Fighting Maroons, 2.5-1.5. Gio Mejia faced off against Fighting Maroon John Vito Cruz and won DLSU’s first match, 1-0. Meanwhile, Green Woodpusher Raymond Ng drew with UP Fighting Maroon Mac Labasano, 0.5-0.5. On the other hand, Richmond Young and Tristan Ibaoc lost to UP’s Brent Alanan and Joshov Rosarda, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Lady Woodpushers dominated the ADMU Lady Eagles, 3.0-1.0, in their first matchup of the competition. DLSU’s Mira Mirano, Ella Moulic, and Samantha Revita were successful in their individual matchups against Jill Feliciano, Alexis Oseña, and Marlene Membrere, respectively. Laila Nadera clinched the lone victory of ADMU by taking a 1-0 win over Franchell Javier.
Day two
The second round of the women’s tourney saw the DLSU Lady Woodpushers edge the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 2.5-1.5. Moulic and Revita took home victories for DLSU over Lady Tamaraws Viona Nepascua and Babylyn Galanga, respectively, while Mirano and Marife Dela Torre battled to a 0.5-0.5 draw. Javier’s match for the Green-and-White closed with a loss, 1.0-0, versus FEU’s Janin Crisologo.
In contrast, in the men’s division, the Green Woodpushers succumbed to the NU Bulldogs, 1.5-2.5. Justine Co and Ng bowed to NU’s Paulo Bersamina and Christian Magtabog. As Mejia and Robin Ignacio drew their battle, 0.5-0.5, Ibaoc was the lone Green Woodpusher to add a point to the team tally with a victory over NU’s Arnel Iligan.
Day three
The Green Woodpushers could not take an early lead in the standings after settling for a 1.5-2.5 loss to the ADMU Blue Eagles on the third day. Green Woodpusher Ibaoc started off with a draw, 0.5-0.5, against ADMU’s Vince Edralin. Mejia was the only Woodpusher to win a match for DLSU, 1-0, as he went up against Blue Eagle Josh Dy. The day ended for the men’s team with Ng and Co bested by the Blue-and-White’s Gavin Ong and Tristan Cervero, respectively.
Consequently, the Lady Woodpushers experienced their first loss in the hands of the UP Lady Maroons, 1.5-2.5, after Mirano and Revita suffered losses to UP’s Ynna Canape and Justnin Macapuno, respectively. While Moulic and Geraldine Guyo battled out to a draw, Javier sealed the 1-0 victory over Martina Casiano to cap off the day.
Because of La Salle’s performance, the Green Woodpushers currently sits at the fifth spot of the rankings with the UE Red Warriors, both recording 4.5 points. As of now, the NU Bulldogs and the FEU Tamaraws both occupy the number one seed, tied at 8.5 points each. Meanwhile, the AdU Soaring Falcons, UST Growling Tigers, and the UP Fighting Maroons are at the middle of the pack with 7.5, 6, and 5 points, respectively. The ADMU Blue Eagles finished the first three rounds with 3.5 points in the men’s division.
However, the Lady Woodpushers currently sits in first place alongside the UP Lady Maroons, both with 7 points. Not far behind are the AdU Lady Falcons, UE Lady Warriors, and the UST Golden Tigresses who are all tied at 6.5 points. Furthermore, both the ADMU Lady Eagles and the NU Lady Bulldogs currently rank fourth with 5 points each, narrowly edging the FEU Lady Tamaraws who finished the first few rounds with a total of 4.5 points.
As the DLSU Woodpushers capped off the first three rounds, head Coach Susan Neri shares that the team is slowly warming up to the tension of the competition. “I think our teams are still adjusting to the pressure of the tournament but Coach Randy and I are positive that we’ll recover in time,” Neri says. She believes that the ability to bounce back is what best defines her players.
La Salle will return to action today, September 27, when the Green, Lady Woodpushers take on the UST Growling Tigers, and the Golden Tigresses, respectively. As of press time, both matchups will be at 1 pm at the same venue.
