PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes made the biggest splash in last Sunday’s PCAP Season 3 Draft held at the Estancia Mall in Pasig City.

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.

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.

The other confirmed members of Laguna are GM Rogelio Barcenilla.IM Angelo Young (senior). IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad (senior). FM Roel Abelgas. AGM Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (homegrown), Vince Angelo Medina (homegrown) and Michella Concio (female).

Based on performances in all three conferenes last year, Laguna finished as the sixth best team with a total of 71 match points.

The Heroes finished with 26 points in the first conference, 21 points in the second conference and 24 points in the third conference for a high 70.2 winning percentage.

But it was in the inaugural 2021 PCAP All-Filipino Conference where the Laguna Heroes made their presence felt in the tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, Ayala Land and PCWorx

Led by Barcenilla and FM Austin Jacob Literatus, Laguna brought down Camarines Soaring Eagles, 2-1, in the three-game playoffs to capture the championship.

Barcenilla, a many-time Battle of the GMs champion, crushed Christian Mark Daluz while Literatus outwitted Ellan Asuela for Laguna’s two victories.

Camarines’ lone victory came from GM Mark Paragua, who outduelled fellow Olympiad veteran GM John Paul Gomez of Laguna.

All 20 members teams from the Northern and Southern Divisions, participated in the face-to-face draft organized by PCAP, headed by President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria and Chairman Michael Angelo Chua, and hosted by the Pasig City government thru Mayor Vico Sotto.

The tournament proper will kick off on Feb. 18.

Also in the order of the PCAP pick are Mindoro Tamaraws, Cebu Machers, Tacloban Vikings, Rizal Towers, Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, Cavite Spartans, Isabela Knights of Alexander, Camarines-Iriga Eagles, Cagayan Kings, Mandaluyong Tigers, Zamboanga Sultans, Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, Manila Indios Bravos, Toledo Trojans, Laguna Heroes, Negros Kingsmen, Davao Eagles, San Juan Predators, Iloilo Kisela Knights and Pasig.Pirates.

PCAP, the country’s first professional chess league, 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.