84th NCAA Season: Chess Tournament

The 84th NCAA Season has begun 2 weeks ago and on July 26, Saturday, the NCAA Chess Tournament begins. Opening Ceremony starts at 1130 at the Jose Rizal University Gymnasium and the National Chess Federation of the Philippine's (big time mover!)President, former Surigao del Sur 1st District congressman Prospero Pichay jr. is gracing the ceremony as a guest of honor.

Jose Rizal University is this year's chess tournament's host and I'd have to to tell you guys, they've got all the reasons to do so. Their newly-built sports gymnasium offers a great playing venue for the players. In fact, the chess playing hall for this year's chess tournament edition is a well-ventilated, well-secured, well-lighted and spacious three doored-room.

I just hope the security during the games will be consistent as what they've expressed during the coaches meeting like the prohibition of non-chess players and coaches entering the room.

Here is the official list of players of the 84th NCAA Chess Tournament:

Colegio de San Juan de Letran

Seniors:

Datu, Alfonso D.
Garcia, Bon Mark A.
Guerrero, Chester Brian C.
Laceste, Lehi Dan Stephen R.
Mendoza, Ryan E.
Pascua, Randolph A.

Juniors:

Biag, Ranilo Gil C.
Fronda, Jan Jodilyn P.
Laceste, Legrand James Jr.
Laceste, Brigham R.
Mejia, Cherry Ann P.
Suede, Mikee Charlene M.

College of St. Benilde

Seniors:

Bitoon, Jimson V.
Delfin, Andrew V.
Malupa, Renie L.
Reyes, Narquingden D.C.
Reyes, Narquingel D.C.

Juniors:

Galan, Jan Nigel H.
Lahoz, Miguel B.
Nuestro, Angelo Joshua P.
Ramos, Alfonso Baldomero
Ramos, Antonito Miguel R.
Songcuya, Emmauel Elijah

Jose Rizal University

Seniors:

De Fiesta, Lester John S.
Dumagan, Kathleen B.
Enriquez, John Christian R.
Ola, John Jovel N.
Santos, Loidan H.
Zabala, Harold F.

Juniors:

Barrozo, Darwin Joseph V.
Capobres, Mark Ephraim A.
Carbon, Arvin D.
Cuevas, Patrick O.
Laao, Mac Lean M.
Nucum, Coneille Fer M.

Mapua Institute of Technology

Seniors:

Burce, Eleixeis C.
De Ramos, Julius Joseph Z.
Ligon, Francis N.
Pelayo, Ergin Nigel N.
Perez, Adrian E.
Zape, John Priter R.

Juniors:

Loja, Luc Mikhail H.
Loja, Sol Lxzander H.
Rodriguez, Marco P.
Montevirgen, Joshua Paul
Simbulan, Ryan Jeremy M.

San Beda College

Seniors:

Mendoza, Joey Angelo A.
Navarro, Joseph
Salang, Matthew V.
Uy, Jr., Gerard A.
Villasin, Rene F.

Juniors:

Chua, Ian Ferdinand C
Dionisio, John Paul C.
Manahan, Claude Louie R.
Paltao, Abiel O.Neil Patrick M.
Rante, Karen Ann B.

San Sbastian College-Recoletos

Seniors:

De Ramos, Eugenio Z.
Fabre, Luke R
Mercado, Jayson V.
Mercado, Joseph V.
Palomata, Melvin M.
Salvador, Louie D.

Juniors:

Coronel, Aldous Roy V.
Cristobal, Kristian Paulo V.
Fopalan, Robby Dedrick E.
Jongco, Arvie B.
Turqueza, Mari Joseph L.
Valezuela, Nigel Keruvin L.

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta

Seniors:

Alconcher, Jenwin A
Calma, John Hector O.
Dantes, Aurora Kim E.
Dela Cruz, Mark T.
De Guzman, Juan Carlo E.
Melicano, Kris Angelique T.

Juniors:

Dado, Darell John G.
Dandan, Tristan Wayne D.
Manero, Marc Angelo J.
Miso, Nikko P.
Servidad, Elxander A.

Based on the official line-up for each participating school, which one do you think will go all the way to win this year's championship for seniors and juniors?

Just in case your wondering, Philippine Christian University is supposed to field in a seniors chess team but didn't have enough players to meet the eligibility criteria.

Who's your bet?