TWO-TIME champion Pasig Pirates open their bid for an unprecedented third straight title when they take on newcomer Mandaluyong Tigers in the 2023 PCAP All-Filipino Conference starting Saturday, Feb. 18.

The Pirates, who ruled the last two conferences, will field a near-intact line-up as they gun for a third straight title in this prestigious, 20-team competition organized by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria and Chairman Michael Angelo Chua, and sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx.

Led by GMs Mark Paragua and Oliver Barbosa, the Pirates of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and coach Franco Camillo, defeated Southern Division champions Iloilo Kisela Knights in the 2022 Second Conference (GM Wesley So Cup) and the Negros Kingsmen in the 2022 Third Conference.

Pasig is also one of few teams which did not participate in the recent PCAP Season 3 Draft, opting to keep most of their players in the fold.

Two-time winner and defending champion San Juan Predators, who are also hoping to win their third title in seven conferences, will battle Quezon City Simba’s Tribe in the other featured Northern Division showdown.

Former PCAP All-Filipino titlist Laguna Heroes will play the Rizal Towers in another highly-anticipated match on opening day.

Laguna, which made history by becoming the first-ever champion in the country’s first-ever play-for-pay league during its first conference in 2021, took reigning national champion IM Daniel Quizon in the first round of the draft.

The Dr. Fred Paez-owned Heroes also acquired IM Michael Concio Jr. in the second round, WNM Jerlyn Mae San Diego in third round, FM Dino Ballecer in the fourth round, and NM Nicomedes Alisangco in the fifth round.

Other first-round matches in the Northern Division will pit the Manila Indios Bravos against the Cavite Spartans and Cagayan Kings against Isabela Knights of Alexander.

Over at the Southern Division, 2022 PCAP Third Conference runner-up Negros Kingsmen will kick off their campaign against the Cebu Machers.

Former champion Iloilo Kisela Knights will meet Mindoro Tamaraws, Davao Eagles will tackle Zamboanga Sultans, Toledo City Trojans will play Tacloban Vikings and Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates will face Camarines-Iriga Eagles.

PCAP is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin, and supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/ President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

Round 1 pairings:

North — Pasig vs. Mandaluyong, San Juan vs. Quezon City, Laguna vs. Rizal, Manila vs. Cavite, Cagayan vs. Isabela.
South — Davao vs. Zamboanga, Iloilo vs. Mindoro, Negros vs. Cebu, Toledo vs. Tacloban, Surigao vs. Camarines-Iriga.