The UST Male Woodpushers displayed might in two rounds to garner four points in the opening weekend of the UAAP Season 86 men’s chess tournament at the FEU Tech Building.

Gunning for their third straight championship, the Male Woodpushers opened their title defense with three wins and one draw against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, Oct. 14, before sweeping the UP Chess Team, 4-0, on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Male Woodpusher Melito Ocsan dominated ADMU’s Khalil Kis-ling in 33 moves before reigning MVP Julius Gonzales followed it up with a drubbing of Janmyl Tisado in 50 moves to pace UST in the opening day.

Rookie Chester Reyes also picked up a win for UST, besting Tristan Cervero in 40 moves, while debuting FIDE Master Mark Daluz fell to a draw against Ateneo’s Jasper Faeldonia.

The Woodpushers then dominated UP in the second day of the tournament as Oczan outwitted Cyrus Francisco in 39 moves, Gonzales toppled Michael Olladas in 40 moves, while Reyes outlasted Joshov Rosarda in 44 moves, and Daluz stunned reigning co-MVP Stephen Pangilinan in 53 moves.

Meanwhile, in the women’s side, UST lost all of their matches against Far Eastern University on the second day of the tournament.

Female Woodpusher Josemier Panol fell to Vic Derotas in 42 moves while Princes Oncita lost to Mary Joy Tan in 38 moves.

Rohanisah Buto and Patricia Bernardo wrapped up the drubbing with defeats against Mhage Sebastian and Jasmine Tejada in 31, and 33 moves respectively.

Buto is the only Lady Woodpusher to hold a victory so far after prevailing over UP’s Geraldine Guyo in 37 moves in the opening day, while Panol settled for a draw versus Precious Ferrer.

The UST Male Woodpushers will attempt to continue their streak against the De La Salle University, while the Lady Woodpushers will be facing the Ateneo Blue Eagles next Saturday at the same venue.