NCFP reinstates GM Antonio for Asian Games

Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio will join the Philippine chess team to the Guangzhou Asian Games after all. Antonio was suspended by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines for skipping the 6th Pichay Cup and the 1st Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup. Because of the suspension, the veteran woodpusher also missed the recent World Chess Olympiad where he was expected to play a key role for the national squad. Without Antonio, the team failed to achieve its target of at least a top 20 finish in Khanty-Mansiyk Russia as the 37th-seed RP team fell to 50th spot. But Antonio made his presence felt in a strong tournament in Tuguegarao, an event which he ruled over the weekend. His impressive showing earned him back a spot in the RP team to the quadrennial meet slated next month. Antonio’s reinstatement was formalized after NCFP president Prospero Pichay informed Asian Games Chief of Mission Joey Romasanta Wednesday of the federation’s decision to put back the country’s second-ranked ranked chess player to the squad bound to compete in China. Antonio will take the spot of International Master Richard Bitoon. “Joey has proven that he still is one of our best players and he also apologized to our president and promised that he will follow all the rules and regulations set by the NCFP," said NCFP executive director Willie Abalos. Antonio will retain his board two status.GM Wesley So will be the team’s board one, GM John Paul Gomez will play in board three and GM Darwin Laylo will be responsible in board 4. Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre will be the team’s alternate. Four gold medals are at stake in the male and female team and individual rapid chess events in Guangzhou. The Philippines is regarded as one among the contenders in both events. “So and Antonio will carry us in the individual event where we have a good chance of winning the gold. China, India and Vietnam are solid in the team competition," added Abalos. Romasanta said that Antonio’s late inclusion to the team will not be a problem as the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) has been lenient as far as accommodating late replacements from our delegation. He mentioned that cagers Solomon Mercado and Chris Lutz, taekwondo jins Paul Romero and Fil-Am Pauline Lopez and golfer Marcel Puyat are now part of the Philippine delegation despite being included at the last minute. - RCJ, GMANews.TV