Ignacian Marian Woodpushers Soar High at BaCiPriSA

Driven by an elite display of tactical dominance and composure under pressure, the St. Mary’s College of Baliuag, Inc. chess team soared high at the BaCiPriSA Meet 2026 tournament, capturing multiple podium finishes across both team and individual categories. The historic campaign was anchored by a masterclass performance from the Secondary Boys team, who secured the prestigious Gold medal during the rigorous event held on Oct. 7.

The prestigious tournament demanded immense mental endurance, testing the depth of the entire roster across multiple grueling rounds of play. As they competed against six different schools around Baliwag City, the Ignacian Marian woodpushers had to navigate a highly competitive field, most notably facing off against OLM, the Secondary Boys team cited as their most formidable opponent.

Alexander Abalos, Gabriel Gregorio, and Ivan Miguel Del Mundo, the Secondary Boys team set a commanding tone early in the tournament, absorbing intense pressure on the top boards to keep the school’s overall point tally within striking distance of the lead. Facing highly aggressive tactical setups from rival academies, their ability to neutralize early threats ensured St. Mary’s remained a dominant force from the opening round.

The structural depth of the players’ delegation was solidified on the remaining boards, where they engineered critical positional victories that shifted the momentum firmly away from OLM. With strict time controls winding down in the final rounds, their endgame composure allowed them to secure the definitive match points needed to claim the team championship trophy.

Reflecting on the hard-fought triumph over their local rivals, members of the golden Secondary Boys squad praised the team’s collective preparation and focus under intense time pressure.

“I was winning at one point but missed a move that allowed the game to end in a draw’,” remarked Abalos.

Matching the intensity of their peers, the Secondary Girls team consisting of Kristine Balin, Mary Fajardo, and Nicole Bernabe put on a spectacular performance of their own, battling through a dense field of competitors to finish as the tournament runners-up. Their strategic discipline across all boards allowed them to fiercely contest the top spot, ultimately securing a well-deserved Silver award finish for St. Mary’s.

Beyond the high school divisions, the future of the school’s chess program proved to be incredibly bright as the Elementary division players showcased immense talent. The young prodigies paved their way through the chess boards with their little minds as those little moves gave the biggest impacts, successfully navigating their brackets to earn their own rightful places on the podium.

The school’s success expanded heavily into the individual categories, where several Ignacian Marian players showcased their solo brilliance against Baliwag’s finest. St. Mary’s players went toe-to-toe in the individual rankings, with the highest solo achievement peaking at a prestigious Silver medal met by Kristine Balin, alongside a haul of other individual placements.

Behind the team’s great performances was the invaluable guidance of their coaching staff, whom the players explicitly thanked for their unwavering support and guidance. The competitors credited Ms. Mabel Moico and Mr. Perfecto Austria, with not only sharpening their opening strategies and endgame skills during training sessions but also giving them the encouragement needed to handle the immense pressure of the tournament. According to the team members, this big victory would not have been possible without the dedication of their mentors, who stood by them through every single round of the competition.

With the BaCiPriSA championship, runner-up, and individual wins now proudly recognized by St. Mary’s College of Baliuag, this elite group of chess players turns their sights toward the upcoming BulPriSA to test their skills on an even larger stage. The collective victory cements the school’s current dominance in the local chess scene and lays a powerful foundation for the program’s future campaigns.