HERE’s good news to all national team players.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, has approved the request of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) to allow national chess team players and officials to join the PCAP and its tournaments beginning next year.
In a letter dated Nov. 2, the NCFP executive director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe said the NCFP has “given permission to national team players and coaches to join PCAP without the impairment of the incentives and allowances they recieve from the Philippine Sports Commission and the NCFP.
The NCFP, however, indicated that the same national team players should prioritize the NCFP when they are asked to play in national and international tournaments.
The PCAP and its member-teams should also allow the national team members to represent the country anytime.
PCAP founding president Paul Elauria welcomed the NCFP decision, saying this will give national tream members the opportunity to join and play for PCAP member-teams in the country’s first-ever professional chess league.
The PCAP First Conference is scheduled to kick off on Jan. 16.
A total of 20 teams, led by San Juan, have already confirmed their participation in the inaugural PCAP tournament.
To be known as San Juan Predators, the team is owned by Michael Angelo Chua withHubert Estrella and Simeon Co as coaches.
The other confirmed teams and their respective officials are:
1. Surigao (Engr. Rey Urbiztondo).
2. Olongapo City (sponsored by Asia Int’l Auctioneer, managed by Dr. Gefer Imbuido and Joel Pineda).
3.Bicol/Camarines (owned by Buenaviel Construction and Project Management).
4. Isabela (owned by Atty. Amos Alejandro and managed by Charlie Tagoc).
5. Negros (owned by Atty. Jason Bandal and Martin Olendo).
6.Team Rizal (owned by Ed Madrid and Batch Rizal Towers).
7. Iloilo (owned by Leo Sotaridona with Gil Libutaque as team manager and Hubert Canto as assistant manager).
8. Mindoro Golden Tamaraws (owned by Mayor Elgin Malaluan).
Also in the list are Cagayan Valley, Caloocan, Manila, Iriga, Palawan, Zamboanga, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, Pasig, Toledo and Laguna.
The second qualifying tournament/tryout is scheduled on Nov. 14.
