MANILA, Philippines - St. Benilde came away with a pair of 4-0 victories over Jose Rizal to rule the first round action of the junior and senior divisions of the 86th NCAA chess tournament at the Cyberzone of the SM City Manila.
Jerson Bitoon, Narquinden Reyes, Narquingel Reyes and Jessie Abucejo overwhelmed their respective rivals as the Blazers finished with 28 points, 2.5 points ahead of defending champion Letran.
Reigning MVP Chester Brian Guerrero, Ivan Gil Biag and Benjamin Lising delivered the wins on boards one to three while Jesus Alfonso Datu settled for a draw with John de Leon on the last board as Letran fashioned out a 3.5-0.5 win over Arellano U for a 25.5-point aggregate.
In contrast, La Salle-Greenhills needed a shutout win over Jose Rizal and assistance from Arellano U to overtake Letran for the first round pennant.
The Junior Blazers got the wins from Giovanni Mesia, Alfonso Ramos, Miguel Lahoz and Angelo Nuestro to demolish the Light Bombers for 25 points.
The Greenhills-based chessers edged the Squires after the latter scrambled for a 2.5-1.5 decision over the Arellano U Junior Chiefs.
Cherry Mejia and Christina Drapete provided the wins on boards one and four, respectively, with Mikee Suede halving the point with Carlo Caranyagan for the squeaker.
Arellano played the spoiler’s role as Jay Gutierrez trampled Christian Dave Cabloa on board three to help hand the first round pennant to CSB in the event organized by a committee chaired by Jose Mari Lacson of San Beda.
The Junior Chiefs thus placed third with 23.5 points, overtaking the Staglets, the reigning titlists who reeled to No. 4 with 23 points.