The UST Male Woodpushers dismantled the UP Fighting Maroons to remain on top of the table, 3.5-0.5, in the first stage of the UAAP Season 87 men’s chess tournament on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Adamson Sy Gymnasium.

The Male Woodpushers clinched the top spot before entering the second stage with a total of eight match points and 15 game points as they denied the Fighting Maroons hope to grab the first seed in Stage 1 with six match points and 11.5 game points.

In Board 1, Mark Daluz outplayed fellow FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan in 38 moves to counter his Queen’s Pawn Opening.

Chester Reyes utilized the Closed Sicilian Defense (Nc3) to finish the Board 2 with a 30-move beating of UP’s Cyrus Francisco.

Jan Labug secured his third victory of the season after trouncing Roderenz Adra in 56 moves.

UP’s Aristotle Calica denied the possible sweep from UST over the Fighting Maroons after Melito Oscan Jr. frittered his winning move away to sort the last board out with a draw.

The reigning Season 86 MVP, Oscan, failed to grab his third win of the season, settling for a 2-0-2 win-loss-draw record after the first stage.

The UAAP has yet to announce the schedule for the second round.