BANGKOK –The Philippines is assured of at least a silver medal in chess event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Bazaar Hotel here Tuesday.
GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and GM Daniel Quizon provided the all-important victories as the Philippines brought down Singapore, 2-2, 2.5-1.5, in their semifinal encounter in the ASEAN Rapid men Quadruple event.
Needing no less than a victory to advance to the gold medal match against host Thailand, the Filipinos went to Antonio, who became the country’s third GM in 1993, and Quizon, who earned his GM title only last year, for the decisive victories against their Singaporean opponents.
GM Darwin Laylo settled for a draw while IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia dropped his match in the six-nation, four-player competition.
The victories of Antonio and Quizon came after the two countries battled to a 2-2 draw in the first match earlier in the day.
With the win, the GM Eugene Torre-mentored Philippines earned a crack at its first gold medal in chess against Thailand, which eliminated Indonesia in the other semis encounter.
“Swerte. It was hard-earned victories for me and Quizon against Singapore after all four boards were drawn in the first match,” said Antonio, who is fresh from winning the 50+ category of the FIDE World Senior Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Gallipoli, Italy last month.
Asked about the gold medal game against Thailand, Antonio expressed confidence they can do it.
“The Thais remain favorites because this is really their game but I like our chances,” added Antonio, also an awardee in the 23rd Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal given by the Quezon City government last Oct. 28.
Earlier, Thailand topped the elimination round with eight points on three wins and two draws based on a scoring system that gives two points for a win and one point for a draw.
The Philippines wound up second with seven points on two wins and three draws, followed by Singapore with six points on two wins, two draws and one loss and Indonesia with five points on two wins, one draw and two losses.
Vietnam and Malaysia finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
