MANILA – Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr. amassed eight medals Friday at the 23rd ASEAN+Age Group Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia.
Competing in the men's 50+ category, he won four golds (Standard individual and team, Rapid individual and Blitz team) and two silvers (Standard individual and Blitz individual) in the tournament organized by the ASEAN Chess Confederation, Malaysian Chess Federation and Penang Chess Association.
Antonio, a 13-time national champion, also joined the pre-SEA Games event held July 4-8, winning two bronze medals.
"I have nothing to prove. I love representing our country and I'm happy to bring home medals," Antonio said in an interview Friday.
Meanwhile, the Philippine U12 team of WNM Millery Gen Subia of Cabanatuan City, WNM Mary Janelle Tan of Cagayan de Oro City, and Thea Grace Clar of Iloilo City captured two silver medals (Blitz and Rapid) and one bronze (Standard).
In the pre-SEA Games competition, GM Jayson Gonzales finished second behind FM Jarred Neubronner of Singapore in the individual category.
Indonesia topped the team category with 18.0 points followed by Singapore (17.5 points) and Malaysia (13.0 points).
The Philippines team, comprising Gonzales, IM Angelo Young, NM Edmundo Gatus, NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. and WNM Enrica Armenta, was fourth with 11 points. (PNA)