Stars of past and present will come together in the first-ever Professional Chess Association of the Philippines draft on Sunday.
The online draft will see the Antipolo Cobras pick first.
And it’s most likely that Asia’s first-ever GM Eugene Torre will be picked as the top overall pick.
Over at the women’s side, UAAP Season 76 Athlete of the Year Jan Fronda headlines the cast.
Holding the second pick are the Iloilo Kisela Knights.
Other GM’s entering the draft are Joey Antonio, Ino Sadorra, Banjo Barcenilla, Darwin Laylo, John Paul Gomez, Mark Paragua, and Roland Salvador.
Fronda, on the other hand, is joined by Bernadette Galas, Catherine Secopito, Marie Antoinette Secopito, Cherry Ann Mejia, Cristy Lamiel Bernales, Rowelyn Joy Acedo, Mira Mirano, Carmelita Abanes, Karen Jay Enriquez, among others.
IMs Paulo Bersamina, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Ricky De Guzman, Cris Ramayrat, Angelo Young, Oliver Dimakiling, Marvin Miciano, Eric Labog, Barlo Nadera, Joel Pimentel and comebacking IMs Rico Mascarinas, Domingo Ramos, Rolando Nolte, and Vince Alaan are also eligible.
Picking third are Team Quezon City followed by Team Iriga, Negros Kingsmen, Cordova Cutchess Dagami Warriors, Rizal Batch Towers, San Juan Predators, Mindoro Tamaraws, Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, Manila Indios Bravos, Camarines Soaring Eagles, Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, Team Cabuyao, Toledo City Chess Miners, Team Cagayan, Team Zamboanga, Team General Trias, Isabela Knight Raiders, Cebu City Chess Masters, Caloocan Loadmanna Knights, Pasig City King Pirates, and Team Palawan.
Each team will have three homegrown players, two rated players, and one lady and senior.
The first-ever season is expected to have three conferences, Open, All-Filipino, and Reinforced.