San Beda, Lyceum take top seedings in NC chess

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda trounced Perpetual Help, 3-1, to clinch the top seeding while Lyceum of the Philippines University bucked the absence of their best player as it drew Jose Rizal, 2-2, to seal the No. 2 seed at the end of the elimination round of the 93rd NCAA chess tournament at the LPU auditorium over the weekend.

Bryan Barcelon and Dave Patrick Dulay pulled off wins on the last two boards while McDominique Lagula and Prince Mark Aquino drew with Kim Zsofia Dejayco and Carl Kevin Manguera on the top two boards to finish on top with 30 points after nine rounds.

Minus top board player Jonathan Jota, who was competing in the Battle of Grandmasters in Makati, the Pirates survived the Bombers’ upset try with wins by Louie John Alegria and Virgen Gil Ruaya on the last two boards to escape with the draw, enough to seal them the No. 2 spot with 26 points.