The chess team of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) finished 4th place in the recent 2017 Government Corporations Athletic Association's (GCAA) chess competition. The awarding rites were held at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) gymnasium in Pasay City.

The GSIS topped the chess tournament as it overpowered the defending champion, the Social Security System which was hailed as the 1st runner-up while the Land Bank of the Philippines landed 2nd runner-up.

In the individual category, PhilHealth's Vincent Abellanoza and Dante Novilla bagged the silver medals while Joseph Perez and Roderick Velasco brought home the bronze awards for Boards 2, 6, 1, and 4, respectively.

The GSIS took home four (4) gold medals, one (1) silver and one (1) bronze; LBP had three (3) gold medals, one (1) silver, and one (1) bronze; and SSS had three (3) silvers and 2 bronze medals.

Meanwhile, the GSIS again took the top spot, in the volleyball game men's division from the SSS cruising to a 21-25, 28-30, and 11-15 victory. The SSS attempted to reclaim their championship glory in the final set but the team from the south was determined to win their first volleyball title. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) settled for 2nd place beating the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Likewise, the GSIS women’s volleyball team did not back down as it won over PAGCOR with 20-25, 25-18, 7-15. The PCSO grabbed the second spot after winning by default against the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).

The PhilHealth volleyball teams for men’s and women’s divisions, were last year’s overall champions in the GCAA volleyball tournament, beating the SSS and Philippine Reclamation Agency, respectively.

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The GCAA is an annual sports gathering of various government agencies to promote physical fitness, teamwork and camaraderie among employees in the public sector. (END) (Michelle S. Nisperos, photos by Pedro D. Abella)

(Reference: Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Head Executive Assistant and Concurrent OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group, Cel No. 0917-8089399)