DE LA SALLE hammered out a 2.5-1.5 victory over deposed champion Far Eastern University (FEU) in the penultimate round on Friday to move closer to clinching the men’s title in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77 chess tournament.
Jan Galan and Franz Grafil led the way for the Green Woodpushers, who now have a 13-round total of 37.5 points. De La Salle could annex its first men’s championship since John Paul Gomez led the Taft-based squad to a six-peat starting in 2004 with a victory against Adamson University, a 4-0 winner over University of the East, on the final day of eliminations at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Falcons, runners-up to the Tamaraws last season, trailed the Green Woodpushers by 1.5 points and are seeking their first title in 25 years.
FEU, meanwhile, is threatening to end De La Salle’s four-year reign in the women’s division. The Lady Tamaraws, with Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna leading the way, fashioned out a 3.5-.5 victory over University of Santo Tomas in the 13th round.Behind reigning Most Valuable Player Jan Jodilyn Fronda, the Lady Woodpushers blasted the Lady Warriors, 3-1. FEU now has 42.5 points, two points clear of De La Salle, as the two teams clash in the final round on Sunday.
In other men’s results, the Growling Tigers edged Ateneo, 2.5-1.5, to remain in third spot with 31.5 points, while National University nipped University of the Philippines, 2.5-1.5, for a total of 28.5 points in fourth place.