FEU claims 15th UAAP men’s chess title

Not even a final round defeat could deny Far Eastern University the title of the greatest UAAP men’s chess team in history.

The Tamaraws yielded for the first time of the season to the University of Santo Tomas Tigers, 2.5-1.5, in the 14th and final round, but the title has been decided several rounds before.

 

Minus the final round setback, FEU finished with 43 points — 7.5 points ahead of eventual runner-up UST with 35.5 points.

It was the 15th title for the Morayta-based chessers, the most by any UAAP schools, that underscored their status as the league’s best collegiate chess team.

It will take a very long time before anyone could lay claim on FEU’s status as both La Salle and UST have only seven crowns apiece.

And it looked like the Tams will build a dynasty as they will parade practically the same team anchored on Jeth Romy Morado, RK Sevillano, and JM Jacutina in seasons to come.

All three won gold on the top three boards with Morado and Jacutina sharing the Most Valuable Player award and Sevillano and Jacutina named as co-Rookie of the Year awardees.

Another Tamaraw, Israelito Rilloraza claimed the gold on board six to cap FEU’s domination.

The only gold medals that didn’t go FEU’s way went to Ateneo’s Tristan Jared Cervero on board four and UST’s Antonio Almodal III on board five.

Morado, the reigning national juniors champion, would have bagged the MVP plum uncontested if not for a shock 62-move defeat to Julius Gonzales in a Scotch duel.

Jacutina, for his part, took care of business by downing Samson Lim III in 60 moves of a Stonewall variation of the Queen’s Pawn opening while Sevillano halved the point with Melito Ocsan, Jr. in 34 moves of an English duel.

UST capped its upset of FEU with a quick, masterful 27-move triumph by Brylle Gever Vinluan over John Jasper Laxamana in another English encounter on board four.

University of the Philippines, which drew with National University, 2-2, pocketed the bronze with 26.5 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin