Davao's Acedo, DLSU eye UAAP chess title-defense

DAVAO City's Rowelyn Joy Acedo is optimistic that the De La Salle University (DLSU) women's chess team will defend its title as the 2013 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess competition unfurls on Saturday at the Far Eastern University (FEU).

The former Jose Maria College (JMC) chess standout Acedo, a Sports Management freshman, said they've been training three hours every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday sessions.

"Kayanon namo madepensahan ang titulo. Pressure kaayo nga nagadula ko sa champion team pero maningkamot ko nga maka-contribute sad ko sa team (We will do our best to defend our crown. It's really been a pressure to play in a champion team but I will do everything I can to contribute for the team)," Acedo said in Facebook chat Wednesday.

She will be joined by Akiko Suede, Cherry Ann Mejia, Jodilyn Fronda, Kyla Joy Camacho and Judith Pineda in the team.

Acedo, however, said coach Randy Segarra instructed them never to divulge their board assignments for the UAAP standard chess team competition that will be played on Wednesdays and Saturdays until February.

She added in the vernacular, "Our board assignments vary from time to time. I played Board 2 in the 2012 University Games. I'm not yet sure which board playing in the UAAP."

Acedo, a be-medaled chesser during her elementary and high school years in Davao City, said FEU and the University of the Philippines remain as their stiff rivals.

"Coach Randy gave us pointers to study like lines in our games. I really want us to become champions again so I will study hard and do my best," she added. (MLSA)