A COMPACT 12-strong Team Philippines amassed seven gold medals, 10 silver and a bronze to land close third overall in the recent Asian Schools Chess Championships in Panjin, Liaoning, China.
Allanney Jia Doroy, Nazareth School of National University 15-year old student, emerged as the top Filipino performer as she reaped two golds (in standard and rapid) and silver (blitz) in the U17 years category.
Jerlyn San Diego (U13) of The First Uniting Christian School, and Al-Basher Buto (U7) of Faith Christian School, likewise, hauled two gilts apiece (both in rapid and blitz).
Daniel Quizon (U13) of Dasmariñas National High School, with his fine showing in blitz, rounded out the gold-medal haul of the squad sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission and added a silver (standard).
Philippine Science High School’s Stephen Rome Pangilinan (U17), fresh from his podium finish in the inaugural East Asian Juniors Chess Championship, and Dasmariñas National High School’s Kylen Joy Mordido (U15) settled for the three silvers in their respective categories.
Vicente Villanueva Memorial School’s Daren de la Cruz (U9) contributed silver (standard) as did Marie Ernestine School’s Jerish John Velarde (U11 blitz). The only bronze (rapid) was courtesy of Makati Science High School’s Gal Brien Palasigue (U15).
Powerhouse China with 92 players competing in 36 events topped the medal board on 10-7-10 output, even as Uzbekistan with 8-6-4 nipped the Philippines. Indonesia (6-2-6,) and Mongolia (3-1-3) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.