Hindi na isinama si 2016 Battle of Grandmaster champion Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr. sa koponan na susulong sa 42nd World Chess Olympiad sa Setyembre 1-14 sa Baku, Azerbaijan.
Sa inilabas na desisyon ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), sinabi ni Vice-President for Luzon at Chess Grassroots Development Chairman Atty. Noel Canobas na itinalaga ng asosasyon si Antonio para pangasiwaan ang paghahanda at pagsasanay ng National Youth Team.
“GM Antonio is a very good player but we decided to give him, instead a much bigger responsibility as coach and trainor for the youth team,” sambit ni national men’s coach James Infuesto.
“Joey even extended his regard to the team and to the NCFP direction now focusing on the youth. He will be the one responsible for the youth team that the NCFP will be sending in big tournament abroad.”
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Sasabak sa men’s team ang US-based na si Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra sa Board 1, nasa Board 2 si GM John Paul Gomez habang babantayan ng beteranong si GM Eugene Torre ang Board 3. Ang US-based din na si GM Rogelio Barcenilla ang magmamando sa Board 4 at International Master Paulo Bersamina sa Board 5.
Ang Women’s Team ay kinabibilangan naman nina Woman International Master Janelle Frayna, Catherine Secopito, Jodilyn Fronda, Woman Fide Master Shania Mae-Mendoza at WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales.
Nakatakdang umalis patungong Azerbaijan ang koponan sa Agosto 31.
