China vying in PCAP chessfest
FOUR foreign teams, led by Asian powerhouse China, have already confirmed their participation in the 2021 PCAP San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land chess championships starting Sept. 15
PCAP president-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria said the Chinese team is expected to field a strong and battle-tested team in the season-ending third and final conference of Asia’s first play-for-pay chess league.
“We have not received the line-up of the Chinese team, but it should be strong. We expect them to send the list to us soon,” Elauria told People’s Tonight.
The three other foreign teams which have agreed to participate are Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
A fifth foreign team is still being invited, according to Elauria.
“The foreign teams and the three guest squads of Philippine Paralympics team, the Davao-based executive team and Pampanga-based junior squad are seeded to the second round,”explained Elauria.
“These teams will be divided by drawing of lots and join the top eight qualifiers in both the North and South divisions.”
Elauria said several European countries have also expressed interest in joining the online tournament, but cannot be accomodated at this time due to time difference.
Leading the PCAP member-teams are PCAP All-Filipino Cup champion Laguna Heroes and runner-up Camarines Soaring Eagles; and PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup champion Iloilo Kisela Knights and runner-up San Juan Predator
The other PCAP members are Manila Indios Bravos, Caloocan Load Manna Knights, Antipolo Cobras, Rizal Towers, Pasig Pirates, Isabela Knight Raiders, Cavite Spartans, Cagayan Kings, Quezon City Simba’s Tribe and Olongapo Rainbow in the North; and Cordova Dagami Warriors, Negros Kingsmen, Zamboanga Sultans, Toledo Trojans, Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors, Mindoro Tamaraws, Palawan Queen’s Gambits, Cebu City Machers and Iriga Oragons.
PCAP is headed by Elauria, Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and Vice Chairman Ariel Potot.
The tournament is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra.
