National University Women Win Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines Chess Championship


by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—National University Chess Team played brilliantly to bring home it’s first Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) College Women’s chess team title. In photo are, from left, assistant coach Allan Doroy, Natasja Jasmine Balabbo, Kisha Marie Flores , Jesca Docena , WIM  Kylen Joy Mordido, WFM Allanney Jia Doroy , Princess Nicole Ballete and coach National Master and United States chess master Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr.

The UAAP season 84 was held recently at the Far Eastern University in Morayta, Manila.

The NU Bulldogs were composed of Princess Nicole Ballete , WFM Allanney Jia Doroy , WIM  Kylen Joy Mordido, Jesca Docena , Natasja Jasmine Balabbo and Kisha Marie Flores under the guidance of coach National Master and United States chess master Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr., team managers Samson Go and Galo Lim.

They proved too classy for the competition scoring 26.5 points, while runner up De La Salle managed 21, and third placer Adamson. The Lady Falcons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles tied at 15.5 points but the former had nine match points compared to the latter’s six.

Individual players also won medals for their efforts.

They are Ballete (board 1 gold medalist), Doroy  (Rookie/MVP of the year, board 2 gold medalist), Mordido  ( board 3 silver Medalist) and Docena (board 4 gold medalist).

“Thank you to all of my players for always barking up the right tree. You are all the reasons why we achieved this title. Continue barking and biting hard and stay hungry because this is just the beginning. NU Let’s Go Bite Bite Bite. I would like also to thank our team managers Samson Go and Galo Lim for their undying support,” said coach National Master and United States chess master Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr.