PA chess team wins silver, bronze medals in 31st SEAG

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) chess team won silver and bronze medals in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Hanoi, Vietnam, its spokesperson said on Friday.

“The multi-titled Philippine Army chess team proved (its) mettle in the indoor sport after clinching medals in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 19, 2022,” Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

Grand Master Sergeant Darwin Laylo and his teammate, International Master Paulo Bersamina, won the silver medal in the Men’s Team Rapid tournament. Vietnamese chess players clinched the gold medal while Thai and Indonesian chess players shared the bronze medal.

On the distaff side, Private First Class Janelle Mae Frayna, the first Filipina Grand Master, and her teammate, Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, bagged the bronze medal in the Women’s Team Rapid event.

Indonesian chess players bagged the gold while the duo from host country Vietnam settled for silver.

PA athletes have so far contributed three silver and eight bronze medals to Team Philippines’ overall medal haul after securing podium finishes in various categories of chess, wrestling, sepak takraw, rowing, hurdles, and kurash.

PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. commended the Army chess team and other soldier-athletes for showcasing their brawn and brains in a wide array of sporting events.

“Continue to bring pride and honor not just to the organization but to the country as well,” he said.