Pichay, NCFP firm on Antonio ouster; ‘unfair,’ GM says

MANILA, Philippines—The National Chess Federation of the Philippines remained firm in its decision to drop Grandmaster Joey Antonio from the national team, saying there is no room in the Russia-bound squad for “prima donnas.”
 
NCFP president Prospero Pichay said the lineup for the 39th Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia on Sept. 19 to Oct. 3 has already been finalized with Antonio definitely out of it.   “Dropping him (Joey) is good for the team. What we need in this team is cohesiveness, not prima donnas,” said Pichay.   Antonio, axed for his failure to compete in two international competitions hosted by the country, branded the decision “unfair” and appealed for his reinstatement.   “They know they need me in the team,” Antonio said. “My track record in the Chess Olympiad speaks for itself.”   NCFP officials and Antonio made an appearance yesterday at the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue, although they were given separate time slots.   Antonio, the country’s No. 2 player, was replaced by international master Richard Bitoon in the Olympiad and in the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.   He competed in a series of tournaments in the US and missed the 6th Pichay Cup on Aug. 19-26 and the 1st Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup on Aug. 28-Sept. 3. He arrived in the country Sept. 9. The NCFP required national team members to join at least one of the events.   Antonio said he tried to fly back in time for the Campomanes Cup but “couldn’t catch a flight” after waiting in the airport for two days.   He added that the NCFP approved his US trip, with Pichay even signing his travel request that allowed him to get airfare and allowances from the PSC.   Antonio’s ouster could also mean being stricken off the PSC payroll, Pichay said during the weekly forum sponsored by Accel, Outlast Battery and Pagcor.    “I have a family to support,” Antonio said. “I have been offered jobs to teach chess abroad but I opted to stay here and play for the country.”