La Salle closes in on UAAP men’s chess crown

MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle hammered out a 2.5-1.5 win over deposed champion Far Eastern University in the penultimate round to move closer in clinching the men's title Friday in the UAAP 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.

La Salle can annex its first men's championship since the John Paul Gomez steered the Taft-based squad to a six-peat in 2004 with a victory against Adamson University, a 4-0 winner over University of the East, in the final day of eliminations at 1 p.m. tomorrow.

The Falcons, runners-up to the Tamaraws last season, are trailing the Green Woodpushers by 1.5 points and are seeking for their first title in 25 years.

FEU, meanwhile, is threatening to end La Salle's four-year reign in the women's division.

The Lady Tamaraws, with WIM Janelle Mae Frayna leading the way, fashioned out a 3.5-.5 victory over University of Santo Tomas, in the 13th round.

Behind reigning MVP Jan Jodilyn Fronda, the Lady Woodpushers blasted the Lady Warriors, 3-1.

FEU now has 42.5 points, two clear of La Salle, as the two teams clash in the final round 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.

Other results in the distaff side showed the Lady Maroons edging the Lady Eagles, 2.5-1.5, to virtually assure themselves of a podium finish with 30 points, while the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Falcons battled to a 2-2 standoff.

NU inched closer in clinching the juniors crown via a 3.5-.5 triumph over UE for 33.5 points, while FEU-Diliman suffered a huge blow on its title bid following a 1.5-2.5 loss to Adamson to remain second with 29 points.