Grandmasters Mark Paragua and Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. signified their intention to join the inaugural draft of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP). Both players are now residing in the United States.
“It is an honor for me to be one of the pioneers of the first professional chess league in our country,” said the New York-based Paragua.
Barcenilla, now based in Arizona, echoed Paragua’s statement.
“If I need to fly back home to play in PCAP, I most definitely will. I’m not going to miss a historic moment in Philippine chess,” said Barcenilla.
The league’s first season will take place online because of the Covid-19 pandemic so both players can play without going back to the Philippines.
There are plenty of prominent Filipino chess players living overseas, including GMs Oliver Barbosa (New York), Julio Sadorra (Texas), Richard Bitoon (Texas), Enrico Sevillano (California), Roland Salvador (Italy), Joseph Sanchez (France), Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor (Singapore) and Nelson “Jet” Mariano II (Singapore).
All of them can join the PCAP Draft provided they are able to secure a license to play from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
PCAP will be composed of approximately 32 LGU-based, but privately-owned chess teams with a minimum of eight and maximum of 10 players under contract.
Each team will field six regular players composed of two rated players, one female, one senior and two untitled homegrown players. The untitled homegrown players are direct hires by the teams.
According to founding commissioner, Atty. Paul Elauria, players will get standard contract with minimum and maximum salaries based on the salary cap agreed by all participating teams.
The participating teams will be divided into two conferences: Northern Conference for Luzon-based teams and Southern Conference for Visayas- and Mindanao-based teams.
Already confirming their participation are the Baguio Lion Kings, Bataan Marching Heroes, Bulacan Bloody Bishops, Cagayan Valley Kings, Makati Red Gambits, Manila Noble Knights, Mindoro Golden Tamaraws, Palawan Beach Masters, Pampanga, Pasay, San Juan Preda-Torres, Subic Knightmares, General Trias City, Cavite and Tarlac Top Guns. Also interested to join are ARMM, Batangas, Bohol, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Ilocos, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Misamis, Negros, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Surigao and Zamboanga.
