ATHLETICS

Xavier Woodpushers Strut Their Stuff
Mr. John Sy, Chess Team Coach

Posted Saturday, 20-Jan-2007 9:14 AM

      Xavier’s grade school and high school chess teams had a chance to test their mettle against tough competition at the Xavier Interscholastic Chess Team Challenge held last November 25, December 9 and December 16, 2006 at the Xavier High School Cafeteria.

      Led by team captain Jason Tan (H4D), the high school team composed of Jeffrey Go (H3B), Marc Aaron Sy (H2E), Trevor Chan (H2C), Anderson Ongsyping (H1E) and Johann Lim (H1F) powered their way to a second place finish.

      The high woodepushers took the early lead in the tournament by sweeping Quezon City Christian Academy 4-0, and thumping Colegio San Agustin 3.5-0.5.

      In the third round, Southridge slowed the red hot Stallions by holding them to a draw 2-2 but in the fourth, Xavier went back to its winning ways by clobbering Makati Hope 4-0.

      Going into the final weekend of competition, Xavier was only half a point behind the leader La Immaculada Team A (LICS A). Needing a sweep of International School Manila in the fifth round to keep the pressure on, Xavier came up a game short but still won the match impressively 3-1.

      The sixth round was the Armageddon round as the Stallions finally took their shot against leader LICS A. Unfortunately, Xavier was dealt its only loss of the tournament 2.5-1.5. They finished the tournament by drawing LICS B 2-2 in the last round.

      In the end, Xavier, LICS B, and Southridge tied for second place with 20 points apiece but tiebreakers awarded the silver plum to Xavier and the bronze to LICS B.

      Meanwhile the grade school team was not able to lead early on in the competition. Nevertheless, the grade school team led by a powerful Grade 7 trio composed of Martey Haw, Jasper Tan, and Enrique Panganiban, inched their way to victory slowly but surely. They were backed up by Justin Pe, Ethan Chua and Ellery Go.

      They lost an early match up to Southridge 3-1, drew their second round match against Makati Hope, and lost to La Immaculada, 3-1. However, the junior Stallions saved their best for last by blasting Colegio San Agustin 3-1 and skunking International School Manila 4-0 in the last two rounds. With the two victories under their belt, the last weekend outburst was enough to land the Xavier grade school woodpushers into second place just like their big brothers in the high school.

      Besides an impressive team showing, several Xavier players distinguished themselves by winning individual medals because of their outstanding performance at their boards. These students, their board assignments and their medals are:

      The Xavier woodpushers will swing into action for their final tournament of the year this February 17 and 24 at the 3rd Xavier Interscholastic Chess Challenge to be held at the function room of the Fr. Cortina Sports Center. Everyone is encouraged to support the team. Luceat Lux!

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