Photo from UAAP Media Team

By AJ Alarcon

The Ateneo High School (AHS) Chess Teams wrapped up their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 campaign with tough matches against Adamson University (AdU) and Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D), held on October 18 and 19, respectively, at the AdU Gymnasium. With the season now concluded, the team looks ahead to a stronger showing in the next UAAP run.

The Boys’ Team concluded their campaign against the Baby Falcons, managing a draw on one board but conceding the remaining three to AdU, 0.5–3.5.

Meanwhile, the Girls’ Team faced the Baby Tamaraws in their final match, where FEU-D swept the boards 4–0, sealing the round in their favor.

However, the team gathered podium finishes over individual board battles: Joachi Manuel clinched a bronze medal on Board 6 in the Boys’ division, while Mikayla Tusi mirrored the achievement with a bronze finish on Board 3 in the Girls’ division.

The Boys wrapped up the season with 4 match points over 9 board points, securing 4th place overall. Meanwhile, the Girls earned 2 match points over 8 board points, landing in 5th place.

With both wins and losses, the season left the team with insights to carry forward in their journey in the sport.

Team Captain Aidan Mejia shared, “Above all else, consistency is the most important. You need to be able to win matchups you’re favored to win — avoiding upsets — while, of course, aiming to beat those stronger than you.”

He added, “The worst feeling is losing games you know you should’ve won.”

In his final playing year, Mejia noted that the team will be left in good hands. “We will retain a lot of strong players next year, along with promising new ones who are sure to step up,” he said, expressing hope that the team will continue its culture of teamwork, discipline, and focus.

The captain closed their UAAP season holding on to the faith that “there’s nowhere to go but up.”

As UAAP packs away its chessboards this season, the AHS Woodpushers are set to test their concentration and wit once more in upcoming tournaments under the Philippine Athletic Youth Association (PAYA) and the Private Schools Athletic Development Association (PRADA).