FIDE Master Mark Bacojo of Far Eastern University competes in the UAAP Season rapid chess tournament at the Adamson gym in this undated photo. He garnered 4.5 points in five rounds as the Tamaraws swept the elimination round with five consecutive wins. (UAAP photo)
Far Eastern University continued its dominant performance in the UAAP Season 87 rapid chess tournament, clinching the No. 1 playoff seeds in three divisions over the weekend at Adamson Gym.
In the boys’ division, Oscar Cantela (Board 2) and Franklin Andes (Board 3) each tallied four points, while Lyn Getubig remained unbeaten across four matches on Board 3 to propel FEU-Diliman to the top of the girls’ bracket.
On the men’s side, FIDE Master Mark Bacojo led the Tamaraws with 4.5 points through five rounds, as FEU completed a clean sweep of the elimination stage with five straight victories.
De La Salle University’s Angele Biete also made waves in the men’s division, collecting four points from five rounds on Board 2. La Salle now prepares for a semifinal clash against defending standard event champion University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Despite a rough Day 2 with three consecutive losses, the University of the Philippines managed to book a spot in the semifinals. The Fighting Maroons will take on the top-seeded FEU squad for a place in the gold medal match.
In the women’s division, both Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University notched pivotal wins to secure their semifinal berths.
Meanwhile, FEU is set to face UST in the championship matches of both the boys’ and girls’ divisions on March 29.