MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University (FEU) reigned supreme in the UAAP Season 82 chess competition, as their men's and women's teams won the championships in contrasting fashions.

It was a dominant campaign for the FEU men's team, a defeat in the final round notwithstanding.

The Tamaraws suffered their very first defeat of the tournament at the hands of the University of Santo Tomas Tigers (UST), a 1.5-2.5 beating in the 14th and final round, but the UAAP Season 82 chess tournament was already a foregone conclusion several rounds before.

Minus the final round setback, it was a performance to remember nonetheless as FEU finished with 43 points, or an unforgiving 7.5 points ahead of eventual second placer UST with 35.5 points.

It was the 15th title for the Morayta-based chessers, the most by any UAAP schools, that underscored their status as the league's best collegiate chess team.

Jeth Romy Morado, RK Sevillano, and JM Jacutina won gold on the top three boards with Morado and Jacutina sharing the Most Valuable Player award and Sevillano and Jacutina named as co-Rookie of the Year awardees.

Another Tamaraw, Israelito Rilloraza claimed the gold on board six to cap FEU's domination of the tournament.

• READ: FEU claims 15th UAAP men's chess championship

The only gold that didn’t go FEU’s way went to Ateneo de Manila University’s Tristan Jared Cervero on board four and UST’s Antonio Almodal III on board five.

UST finished with silver with 35.5 points, while University of the Philippines, which drew with National University, 2-2, pocketed the bronze with 26.5 points.

Meanwhile, the FEU women's team had to eke out a closely fought 2.5-1.5 win over UST in the 14th and final round to claim its fifth title.

Shania Mae Mendoza provided the lone victory on top board as the rest — Bea Mendoza, Marife dela Torre and Viona Nepascua — ended up with fighting draws to help the Lady Tams finish with 40 points, good enough to claim the crown.

De La Salle University, last year's winner, went for a shutout win but finished with just a slim 2.5-1.5 win over first-round conqueror Ateneo on wins Antoinette Marie San Diego and Samantha Glo Revita on boards two and three and a split by Franchell Eds Javier with Laila Camel Nadera on board four, and settled for second place with 38.5 points.

It was sweet revenge for the Lady Woodpushers from Taft Avenue after they made up for a 1.5-2.5 defeat at the hands of the Lady Eagles, whose lone win was provided for by Alexis Anne Ocena on board two, in the very first round that derailed the former’s title-retention bid.

The Lady Woodpushers of España Boulevard, coached by Grandmaster-elect Ronald Dableo, settled for third with 35.5 points.

Other board gold medalists were FEU’s Bea Mendoza on board two, Ateneo’s Manilyn Cabungcag and Laila Camel Nadera on boards three and four, UST’s Vanezza Fe Villamil on board five, and FEU’s Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada on board six.

NU triumphed in the girls' division, while University of the East cruised to victory in the boys' division.

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