The Queens’ Return: Lady Woodpushers Plot to Reclaim the Crown This Season 87
After consistently achieving podium finishes for 15 years, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Woodpushers experienced a significant heartbreak in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Chess Tournament as the team finished in fourth place. However, this setback has only fueled their determination, and the Lady Woodpushers are now more resolute than ever in their pursuit of reclaiming a podium finish in UAAP Season 87.
Dealing With The Heartbreak
Following their heartbreak in UAAP Season 86, Team Captain Francois Magpily expressed how deeply the loss affected them. Rather than diving straight back into training, the Lady Woodpushers took a step back to rest and recharge, with almost all the members enjoying their time off and prioritizing their academics. But the captain also disclosed that once 2024 arrived, the team resumed their training with renewed focus and determination.
Replaying The Game
Unlike other sports, training for chess demands greater mental endurance than physical stamina. While other teams increasingly focus on enhancing their mental resilience alongside their traditional physical training, the Lady Woodpushers are taking a different approach. They are now prioritizing the development of their physical strength in addition to their established mental training.
Magpily noted that the team trained three days a week last year, but the team doubled their sessions during the term break, with training lasting from 9AM to 5PM every day. The captain also revealed that the team has now integrated regular jogging into their routine. While chess is primarily a mind sport, Magpily believes that incorporating physical activity is essential for the team, as it helps to synchronize both their minds and bodies, even though exercise is optional.
Beyond their training sessions, the Lady Woodpushers also cherish their time spent dining out together. Magpily mentioned that they all live in the same dorm, similar to the Green Woodpushers, and that’s what why she thinks deepens their connection, as they spend nearly all their time together.
When there are no training sessions, the captain also divulged that she joins Rapid FIDE-rated chess tournaments and she encourages all the members to join her. For the women’s team, “teamwork” means more than just individual play; it signifies playing together as a cohesive unit. Magpily emphasized that as a member of the Lady Woodpushers, you don’t compete alone, but you thrive as part of a team. The captain further explained, “Wino-work po namin na hindi lang basta technicalities and just preparation yung pinaghahanadaan namin but also our vision and yung kung ano man yung goal naming as a team, dapat iisa.”
Magpily further commented that the Lady Woodpushers never abandon one another, and the captain believes that it is this solidarity that fuels their strength. In line with this, the captain envisions a united team with a singular goal this Season 87, with the Lady Woodpushers focusing on addressing any shortcomings while maintaining unwavering dedication throughout the tournament. As she puts it, “Dapat level up lang nang level up. Kung may mapagod, andito lang yung team to cheer you up.”
Continuing The Legacy
The team captain fondly reminisced about the remarkable Samantha Revita, FIDE Master and Season 85 Lady Woodpushers Team Captain, who is now a Certified Public Accountant. Magpily admired Revita’s unwavering dedication to the team’s success and noted that Revita was instrumental in teaching her about the UAAP and the dynamics of the chess team. The captain expressed her gratitude for Revita’s guidance, which helped her adapt quickly to the role. Now that she has stepped into the shoes of her former mentor, Magpily is committed to carrying forward Revita’s legacy by inspiring and motivating the team just as Revita did in the past.
Polishing The Pieces
When asked about their edge over other teams heading into Season 87, Magpily emphasized that they are drawing strength from last season’s experiences. She asserted that while other teams aim to hold onto their positions, the Lady Woodpushers are determined to reclaim what is rightfully theirs, with the captain concluding with a passionate statement: “Mas lamang sa lakas ng loob, mas gigil, yung init namin andito pa rin, ‘di siya nawawala. Gusto naming bumawi.”
After each tournament, the Lady Woodpushers engage in a routine of discussing areas for improvement and sharing insights on the team’s performance. Magpily emphasized her encouragement for the team to participate in as many tournaments as possible, with the captain urging them to focus on extracting valuable lessons from each experience. The team captain expressed, “Yung spirit talaga namin to aim for the championship andun sa puso namin siya, ‘di yun mawawala. Minamahal namin lalo yung ginagawa namin.”
Naturally, the women’s chess team faced challenges while training for yet another season. Magpily noted, “Darating sa point na mapapagod ka kapag araw-araw ka nagte-train pero yung ginagawa namin, kapag napapagod or biglang nagkakasakit, pahinga lang talaga.” And it’s truly commendable how the team has cultivated a strong sense of comfort and support, and now they can reassure one another that it’s perfectly acceptable to take a step back and return only once they feel fully capable of doing so.
Magpily concluded her statement by expressing heartfelt gratitude for the Lasallian community, a sentiment that their coach has consistently instilled in them: “We’re also giving an honor sa La Salle, we don’t play for ourselves pero naglalaro kami para sa La Salle and gagawin namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para makuha yung championship at maibalik ang korona sa Taft.”
Come support the DLSU Lady Woodpushers as they begin their UAAP Season 87 campaign against the University of the Philippines (UP) Women’s Chess Team on Saturday, October 12, 1PM, at the Adamson University Gym.
The rest of their tournament schedule is as follows:
DLSU vs. UST — October 16, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. Ateneo — October 19, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. FEU — October 20, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. NU — October 26, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. AdU — October 27, 1:00 PM
