Perpetual nails first chess crown

Perpetual Help captured its first senior’s chess title following a 3.5-.5 victory over Arellano U recently in NCAA Season 95 at San Beda campus.

It was a sweet victory for the Altas, who finished third in the eight-round eliminations, as it nailed a first chess crown since joining the NCAA in 1985.

Perpetual Help tore down No. 2 San Beda’s twice-to-beat protection in the semifinals to book a duel with Arellano.

“We really prepared for this since we ended up fourth last Season 94,” said tournament MVP John Marx Anastacio, who bagged a total of four gold medals. “We joined a lot of preseason tournaments and that helped us a lot.”

Genesis Borromeo delivered the clincher for Perpetual Help as he downed Arellano’s Joshua Arias via a Bogo Indian Defense in their two-hour, 50-minute match.

San Beda, meanwhile, ruled the juniors division.