The DLSU Woodpushers capped off UAAP Season 81 in a contrasting fashion, yesterday, October 28, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion. The Lady Woodpushers were successful in claiming the crown for the second straight year, as they finished the season with one draw and a 12-2 win-loss record. On the other hand, the Green Woodpushers found themselves at the bottom of the team standings, winless, with three draws and 11 losses. It was a disappointing year for the men’s team, who failed to maintain their second-place ranking from last season.
Round 13: Green Woodpushers forge a tie, Lady Woodpushers strike the iron
To open the closing weekend of the chess tournament, Green Woodpushers Justine Co and Raymond Ng bowed to FEU’s Jeth Romy Morado and Romy Fagon, respectively. Afterwards, DLSU’s Tristan Ibaoc and National Master (NM) Gio Mejia were successful in their individual matchups against Kristian Abuton and John Laxamana. At the end of the day, La Salle settled with a 2-all draw to the FEU Tamaraws.
Consequently, the 13th round of the women’s tourney saw the DLSU Lady Woodpushers overwhelm the Lady FEU Lady Tamaraws, 4-0. La Salle’s Mira Mirano and Ella Moulic defeated Lady Tamaraws Enrica Villarica and Viona Nepascua, respectively. Fellow Lasallians, Women’s International Master (WIM) Antoinette San Diego, and Samantha Revita, also followed up with wins over Marife Dela Torre and Jemima Valdez, respectively.
Round 14: Lady Woodpushers bring home the bacon, Green Woodpushers fall short
DLSU’s first match involved Daphne Dy against UP’s Justnin Macapuno, which ended in a tie, 0.5-0.5. Moulic and Revita came away with victories against UP’s Jee-ann Barry and Geraldine Guyo, respectively. WIM San Diego secured the last win for the Green-and-White as she trounced UP’s Ynna Canape. The Lady Woodpushers capped off their Season 81 campaign with a 3.5-1.5 win against the UP Lady Maroons.
As early as 2:30 pm, Green Woodpusher team captain NM Mejia ousted ADMU’s Gavin Ong to secure the team’s first point, 1-0. Meanwhile, Ng and Ibaoc fell to their respective counterparts, 2-0. As Richmond Young played to 0.5 draws versus ADMU’s Vince Edralin, the Green Woodpushers succumbed to the ADMU Blue Eagles with a 2.5-1.5 scoreline.
Season awards
In the women’s division, Lady Woodpusher team captain Mirano was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player), while Revita was awarded the Rookie of the Year award. Moulic and Revita clinched gold in Board 3 and Board 4, respectively. Additionally, Javier won the silver medal in Board 5.
“I’m so happy. First few games ko, diretso ako two beses natalo, kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko impossible na mag-MVP. But then it happened, kaya unexpected talaga,” said Mirano, when she clinched the MVP award.
(I’m so happy. In my first few games, I lost in two consecutive instances, so I told myself that it was impossible to become MVP. But then it happened, so I did not expect it at all.)
Likewise, Revita was filled with joy when she received her award. “I feel so blessed since all of our hardships and [efforts] paid off. I was struggling at the beginning of this season. But with the help of my coaches and teammates, I was able to do my best in every game and deliver points for my team.”
Similar to last season’s awarding, NU’s Paulo Bersamina was named the men’s division MVP once again for Season 81. Meanwhile, FEU’s Morado won Rookie of the Year honors. Ibaoc was the lone Lasallian who won an individual award, as he claimed the bronze medal in Board 5.
However, as Green Woodpusher team captain Gio Mejia will be graduating this year, he shared that the team needs to prepare more for better results next season. Mejia said, “Sa mga matitira, they need to do extra training para di na maulit yung ganitong performance and paghandaan nila yung next season since meron pa silang one whole year to prepare.”
(Those who will be staying in the team would need to do extra training so they won’t perform like this again and they need to prepare early for next season, they have one whole year to prepare.)
At the culmination of the chess competition, head coach Susan Neri stated, “It will always be an honor and delight for us to fight for La Salle. It was truly a season well fought by all the participating teams.” Lastly, she expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported her and the team this season. Neri voiced out, “In humility, we offer this victory to our Alma Mater, to our managers, sponsors, alumni, OSD family, our loved ones and above all, to God our Father.”
With reports from Arden Bacallan
