College of St. Benilde scored a pair of 4-0 victories over Jose Rizal University (JRU) to top both divisions after the first round of the 86th NCAA chess tournament at the Cyberzone of the SM City Manila.

Jerson Bitoon, Narquinden Reyes, Narquingel Reyes and Jessie Abucejo bested their respective rivals as the Blazers tallied 28 points for a 2.5-point lead over their closest pursuer and defending champion Letran College.

Letran’s reigning MVP Chester Brian Guerrero, Ivan Gil Biag and Benjamin Lising also won their matches on boards one to three but Jesus Alfonso Datu was held to a draw by John de Leon on board four for a 3.5-.5 win over Arellano University to end up with 25.5 points.

La Salle-Greenhills needed a big help from Arellano University to overtake Letran for the first round pennant in the high school action.

The Junior Blazers got the wins from Giovanni Mesia, Alfonso Ramos, Miguel Lahoz and Angelo Nuestro.