Ni Gilbert Espeña

HANDA na ang National University (NU) sa pagsulong ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team competition sa susunod na taon (2018).

Sa kandili nina team manager sportsman Samson Go at head coach Jose “Jojo” Aquino Jr., tatangkain ng men’s team na maidepensa ang kanilang korona at makuha ang grand slam.

Ang NU Bulldgos chess team na kinabibilangan nina International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina, Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus , Vince Angelo Medina, Joseph Fuerte at Jefferson Mansanero ang naghatid sa Bustillos squad sa second straight title sa taong ito na may nakamadang 44 puntos sa 14-Round tournament.

Mentor era? John Amores, nagtuturo na ng 'shooting skills' sa aspiring players

Mentor era? John Amores, nagtuturo na ng 'shooting skills' sa aspiring players

“Our goal for this coming UAAP Season is to defend the title in the mens team and to claim the grand slam title and to reclaim the title in juniors division over the powerhouse team of FEU.” sabi ni Aquino Jr., isang certified United States Chess Federation (USCF).

Target naman ng NU junior chess team na malagpasan ang runner-up finish sa taong ito na babanderahan nina Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy, Jason Danday, Brylle Vinluan at Antonio Almodal.

Nasukbit ng NU junior chess team ang back to back champion sa season ng 2013-2014 at 2014-2015.

Si Doroy tubong Agusan del Sur na grade 10 student ng Nazareth School ng National University ay gold medalist sa 2017 Asian Schools Chess Championship sa Panjin, China noong Hulyo at 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Chess Championship na ginanap sa Grand Darul Makmur Hotel sa Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia nitong Nobyembre 26 hanggang Disyembre 3, 2017.

Si Danday na ipinagmamalaki ng Dasmarinas, Cavite ay gold medalist din sa 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group Chess Championship.