Lomibao plans to quit RP chess team

Dismayed over the indecisiveness of the NCFP (National Chess Federation of the Philippines) leadership, reigning national women’s champion Sherrie Joy Lomibao yesterday threatened to bolt the national team competing in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games slated Nov. 27-Dec. 5 here.

"Ayaw ko na sana ng gulo, pero kung ano iyung dapat sa akin, ibigay na nila," said Lomibao, a three-time Olympiad veteran and a bronze medallist in the 2003 Hanoi SEAG in yesterday’s media briefing at a restaurant in Malate, Manila.

She was referring to the prize money allegedly promised by an NCFP official in the just-concluded National Ladies Open, the qualifier for the SEAG, which she topped.

"Dapat nga ang focus ko sa training na lang kasi hindi kami makapag-concentrate. Magulo kasi sila, walang nangyayari, parang dictatorial at dina-down pa nila kami kaya naiisipan ko na tuloy mag-withdraw na lang," she added.

The 25-year-old Lomibao, currently the highest rated women’s player in the country today, also said that she might convince the other members of the RP women’s squad — Shercila Cua, Enerose Magno, former Olympiad veteran Beverly Mendoza and Aices Salvador — to pull out of the team.

For his part, Go Teng Kok, president of the NCFP, advised Lomibao to put her plan to withdraw in writing so as to make the necessary adjustments with regard to the composition of the team.

"If she wants to withdaw, there’s nothing we could do about. But she should write me a letter so we can get a replacement," said Go.