BIG WINNERS. The XU High School Crusaders varsity chess girls and boys teams with athletics coordinator Richard Jeffrey "Coach Chief" Ocampo strike a pose after the 20th Milo Little Olympics Mindanao. [From left to right: Coach Chief Ocampo, Regina Gabrielle M Castrillo, Shaina Grace C Garcia, Faith Beatriz O Fabre, team captain Adrian Othniel Yulo, Gian Patrick Espiritu, Tristan Frech Ibaoc, and Karl Francis Honculada]. Supplied photo.

The Xavier University High School Crusaders varsity chess boys team emerged as the overall champion at the recently-concluded regional chess tournament of the 20th Milo Little Olympics Mindanao held on October 1 and 2 at the XU Junior High School campus in Pueblo, Cagayan de Oro City.

Led by their fiery team captain Adrian Othniel Yulo (Grade 10 - Mayer), who was undefeated all throughout the competition, the XU team bested tough opponents from different schools in Northern Mindanao and came out victorious after two grueling days of the chess tilt.

Joining Yulo were his fellow junior high school student-athletes Gian Patrick Espiritu (Grade 10 - Fernando) and Karl Francis Honculada (Grade 9 - Haggerty), and the lone senior high school student-athlete in the roster, young chess standout Tristan Frech Ibaoc (Grade 11 - Boscovich).

In the other division, XUJHS Crusaders varsity chess girls team tied in the second and third places with another school. The members of the XU girls team were Venus Caress Banaag (Grade 10 - Fernando), Regina Gabrielle M Castrillo (Grade 8 – Southwell), Faith Beatriz O Fabre (Grade 8 – Ogilvie),and Shaina Grace C Garcia (Grade 8 – Campion).

Under the mentorship and coaching of Silverio Abasolo, the varsity chess boys and girls teams brought pride and honor to XU Junior and Senior High School. ∎

CHESS CHAMPIONS. Top photo, from left to right: Tristan Frech Ibaoc, Adrian Othniel Yulo, Gian Patrick Espiritu, and Karl Francis Honculada. Bottom photo, from left to right: Two Milo officials, Coach Silverio "A-G" Abasolo, Karl Francis Honculada, Adrian Othniel Yulo, and Gian Patrick Espiritu. During the awarding ceremony, Coach Abasolo received the 20th Milo Little Olympics Mindanao gold medal for chess on behalf of Tristan Frech Ibaoc. Supplied photo.