REIGNING National Champion IM Daniel Quizon heads a star-studded cast hoping to be selected in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Season 3 Draft Day at the Estancia Mall in Pasig City.

Quizon, widely regarded as the country’s next Wesley So, is expected to be the top pick in the highly-anticipated 5 p.m. face-to-face draft by PCAP.

The 18-year-old pride of Dasmariñas, Cavite made history by winning the 2021 Philippine National Chess Championship held at the Solea Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu last December 2021.

Also high on the list of players hoping to get the opportunity to play in the country’s first play-for- pay chess league are IM Michael Concio, NM Homer Cunanan, NM Kim Steven Yap, NM Allan Cantonjos, NM Jovert Valenzuela, Bob Jones Liwagin, Rolando Yutuc and Stephen Reloj.

Based on the performances of all 20 member-teams in Season 2, Northern Conference team Mindoro Tamaraws will make the first pick in annual draft.

Mindoro finished last in the three-confernece overall standings last year with only 19 match points or a winning percentage of only 18.8 percent.

The Tamaraws finished with seven points in the first conference, eight points in the second conference and four points in the third conference.

The team, which already bolstered its line-up with the return of Halkidiki (Greece) World Youth chess campaigner FM Julius Joseph de Ramos, is looking toacquire several new additions in time for the formal opening of the PCAP All-Filipino on Feb. 18.

Southern Division teams Cebu Machers and new member Tacloban Vikings will make the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively.

Cebu finished with 23 match points, while Tacloban wound up with 25 match points.

Completing the top five teams making the top selections are Rizal Towers and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, who both have 38 match points.

Two-time champion Pasig Pirates will be the last team to make a pick in the 20-team field after compiling a league-best 94 match points (33-30-31).

Iloilo Kisela Knights and San Juan Predators are also among the last to make a pick following 91 and 88 match points.

Davao Eagles will be fourth to last after getting 85 points, including 31 in the season-ending third conference alone.

Also in the order of the PCAP pick are 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 headed by president-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria, and supported by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin, and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/ President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.