Pinoy chesser puzzled over NCFP arbitrary decision

MICHIGAN — Grandmaster Rogelio “Joe" Antonio Jr. stamped his class and won the 2nd Central California Open title, employing improved lines to his game in preparation for the 39th World Chess Olympiad set to start on Sept. 21 to Oct. 3 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Happy with the results of his personal preparations, Antonio expressed disbelief and dismay that his efforts might just go down the drain after his mother chess federation threatened to remove him from the national team due to unknown arbitrary reasons. National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) head Prospero Pichay and Willy Abalos, executive director, went public in saying that Antonio will be axed from the RP team if he fails to show up in the Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup set to start Saturday. “That is the worst thing they can do to a player who has served and represented his country for so many years now. Without any official board resolution, they can just threaten anyone and take away his pride and life, even without an official inquiry," said Antonio, whose trip here is backed by the NCFP itself and the Philippines Sports Commission. “Modesty aside, I have given so much honor and glory to the Philippines being one of the main pillars for the RP team in the past 10 Olympiads along with Eugene Torre. I have dedicated my life to the sport and now, they just want to snuff out the fire in me?," added Antonio, ranked the country's No. 2 in terms of Elo. Antonio’s trip to the US was approved and signed by Pichay himself, and bankrolled by the PSC/PCSO. But in a complete turnaround, Abalos was quoted as saying that they want Antonio back by Saturday, to compete in the “Campo" Memorial or else he gets the boot. Pichay also expressed no memory of him signing documents for Antonio to compete and sharpen his skills abroad. “I have all the documents signed by Mr. Pichay. I also made a courtesy call to PSC Chairman Richie Garcia before I left so I am completely puzzled by their decision, which I hope is not final. Physically, I can not be able to play in the “Campo" Memorial because my plane ticket has been booked until Sept. 9. If they would send me a new ticket, I will go home ASAP." The Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad would be Antonio’s 11th stint, having consistently showed performed at a 60% average in his tour of duty for the Philippines. Antonio even emerged unblemished in two of these Olympiads, solid and without a loss at Board 1 or 2. As part of his preparations, Antonio was poised to join the relatively smaller Michigan Open even as he is doing physical training to prepare him for the tough grind, including the Asian Games in November. - RCJ, GMANews.TV