THE country’s top chess players, led by GMs Darwin Laylo of the Pasig Pirates and Mark Paragua of the Camarines Soaring Eagles, return to action when the much-awaited 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Star Game is held today.

The one-day extravaganza will begin with special messages from Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, PCAP Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and PCAP President-Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria starting at 5:30 p.m.

The second part of the summit is the special video presentation and formal awarding of trophies for the winning teams in the recent All-Filipino Conference.

The announcement and presentation of awards will be led by PCAP Vice Chairman Ariel Potot.

The Laguna Heroes, led by GMs Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. and John Paul Gomez, will receive the champion’s trophy.

Runner-up is the Camarines Eagles, followed by Iloilo Kisela Knights and San Juan Predators.

The complete line-ups:

North
Top-rated players — GM Darwin Laylo (Pasig Pirates), GM Roland Salvador (Pasig), GM Eugene Torre (Rizal Towers), GM Rogelio Barcenila, Jr. (Laguna Heroes), GM Julio Catalino Sadorra (Manila Indios Bravos), Oliver Barbosa (San Juan Predators), Austin Jacob Literatus (Laguna), IM Paulo Bersamina (Caloocan Load Manna Knights), IM Rolando Nolte (Rizal) and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (Caloocan).
Female – Shercila Cua (Pasig), Jan Jodilyn Fronda (San Juan), Michaela Concio (Quezon City Simba’s Tribe) and Karen Jean Enriquez (Laguna).
Senior — Rudy Ibanez (Pasig), Ricardo de Guzman (San Juan), Cris Ramayrat (Manila).
Homegrown – Cromwell Sabado (Pasig), Ferdinand Palermo (Pasig), John Paul Gomez (Laguna), Genghis Imperial (Manila), Deniel Causo (Manila) and Mari Joseph Turqueza (Manila).

South
Top-rated –Mark Paragua (Camarines Eagles), Rogelio Antonio, Jr. (Iloilo Kisela Knights), Ellan Asuela (Camarines), Nelson Mariano III (Negros Kingsmen), Merben Roque (Cordova Dagami Warriors), Chito Garma (Zamboanga Sultans), Erwin Retanal (Cebu Machers), Randy Segarra (Negros), Catherine Perena-Secopito (Palawan Queen’s Gambits) and Vince Alaan (Surigao).
Female — Cherry Ann Mejia (Iloilo), Bernadette Galas (Cordov), Rowelyn Joy Acedo (Negros).
Senior– Carlo Lorena (Camarines), Mario Mangubat (Cordova), Rico Mascarinas (Toledo).
Homegrown –Ronald Llavanes (Camarines), Virgen Gil Ruaya (Camarines), Joel Pimentel (Negros), Zulfikar Sali (Zamboanga), Jason Badal (Negros), Ariel Potot (Cordova) and Mikee Charlene Suede (Palawan).

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya