By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense woodpusher Sander Severino captured two gold medals as Team Philippines closed out its 12th ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with 34 golds.

The Negros Occidental’s Silay City-native Severino captured his first gold in the tournament after beating Indonesian Maksum Firdaus in the finals of the men’s individual event.

Severino, who plays for the Davao Eagles team in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, then took home his second gold when he teamed up with Felix Aguilera and Henry Lopez in the men’s team event.

Earlier in the competition, the Negrense chess player clinched two silver medals in the men’s individual rapid chess PI and in the team rapid chess event with Lopez and Jasper Rom.

The two gold and two silver medals showing of Severino was a far cry from his four-gold medal haul during last year’s ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia, but the Negrense remains content.

The Philippine para chess team had a total of 13 golds, including six gold medals from Darry Bernardo and five gold medals from Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza, improving its 10-gold harvest last year.

“Para sa bayan at pamilya po ng team ito,” national para chess team coach James Infiesto said. 

“I am proud of each and every one of our chess athletes here in ASEAN Para Games,” he added.

With its 34-gold, 33-silver and 50-bronze output, Team Philippines ended fifth overall in the competition behind three-peat overall champion Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia./ASC, WDJ