NEW member Davao City looks to make a big difference when it competes in the second season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), which kicks off with the All-Filipino Conference later this month.

To be known as the Davao Eagles, the team emerged as one of the biggest winners in last Saturday’s Annual PCAP Draft by taking in reigning IPCA champion Sander Severino, former national junior champion Jonathan Tan and 2013 Kazan Universiade veteran Mary Palero.

Also taken in by Davao are Philippine chess team coach for the differently-abled James Infiesto, former De La.Salle standout Joy Acedo, FM Roel Abelgas, NM Henry Lopez, NM Alex Lupian, NM Aglipay Oberio, Engr. Allan Diez, Arnel Iton, and Anthony Mosqueda.

Team owners are Atty. Jong Guevarra, SBM Christopher Yap, Giovanni Pimentel and Glen Paclar.

Last year, Davao competed as one of the guest teams in the PCAP San Miguel corporation-Ayala Land Open Conference.

The Eagles reached the quarterfinal round.

Meanwhile, the Iriga City Oragons selected NM Onofre Espiritu as the No. 1 pick in the annual PCAP Draft held last Saturday.

The Quezon City Simba’s Tribe took FM Idelfonso Datu as the No. 2 pick, while the Olongapo Rainbow Seven acquired Mark Einmar Reyes as the No. 3 selection.

After Cebu Machers and Palawan Queen’s Gambits passed, the Cagayan Kings took Ricardo Martin as the No. 4 pick.

Former world youth campaigner Julius Joseph de Ramos was chosen as No. 5 pick by the Mindoro Tamaraws.

Completing the Top 10 picks are:

No. 6 John Ranel Morazo by Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates.
No. 7 IM Richelieu Salcedo III by Rizal Towers.
No. 8 IM Joel Banawa by Isabela Knight Raiders.
No. 9 NM Anthony Makinano by new member Cagayan de Oro.
No. 10 FM Snader Sverino by Davao Eagles.

Also making it to draft selections are Norman Mntejo, 11th, Tacloban City; Merben Roque, 12th, Toledo City Trojans; NM Dale Bernardo, 13th, Zamboanga City Sultans; Jerome Villanueva, 14th, Pasig Pirates; Chin Lim, 15th, Camarines Soaring Eagles; FM Adrian Pacis, 16th, Negros Kingsmen; Alexis Maribao, 17th, Caloocan Load Manna Knights; Jerry Areque, 18th, Manila Indios Bravos; Richie Jocson, 19th, Laguna Heroes; NM Rolly Parondo, 20th, Iloilo Kisela Knights.

Newly-crowned PCAP Third Conference champion San Juan Predators passed.

A total of 12 players were drafted n the second round.

They were Ricky Echala (Quezon City), FM Rustum Tolentino (Olongapo, Mariel Romero (Surigao), FM Edmundo Gatus (Isabela), NM Levy Mercado (Cagayan de Oro), FM Roel Abelgas (Davao), Andrew Casiano (Tacloban), NM Raymond Salcedo (Zamboanga), Kevin Labog (Pasig), Alvin Alcala (Negros), Rolando Andador (Manila) and Rizon Villanueva (Iloilo).