# 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines season

The 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines season is the inaugural season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), a professional chess league in the Philippines. The season opened on January 12, 2021.
There were three conferences or separate tournaments under the 2021 season. The first conference was the All-Filipino Conference. It was followed by the Reinforced and Open Conferences.

## Teams

There are 24 teams in the PCAP as of the inaugural season divided into two geographic groups.

### North

* Antipolo Cobras
* Laguna Heroes (Cabuyao)
* Cagayan Kings
* Caloocan Loadmanna Knights
* Isabela Knight Raiders
* Cavite Spartans (General Trias)
* Manila Indios Bravos
* Olongapo Rainbow Team 7
* Pasig City King Pirates
* Quezon City Simba's Tribe
* Rizal Batch Towers
* San Juan Predators

### South

* Camarines Soaring Eagles
* Cebu City Machers
* Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors
* Iloilo Kisela Knights
* Iriga City Oragons
* Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors
* Mindoro Tamaraws
* Negros Kingsmen
* Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit
* Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates
* Toledo City Chess Miners
* Zamboanga Sultans

## Team changes
### Name changes

* The Palawan Queens' Gambit changed their name to the Palawan–Albay Queens' Gambit starting the Open Conference.

## All-Filipino Conference

The first tournament of the 2021 PCAP season was the All-Filipino Conference which began on January 16, 2021. The conference finals was held on April 3, 2021 which was contested by the Laguna Heroes of the Northern Division and the Camarines Soaring Eagles of the Southern Division. The Laguna Heroes clinched the title of PCAP's inaugural conference.

### Regular season
#### Northern Division

| Pos | Team | W | L | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Laguna Heroes | 30 | 4 | 509 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 2 | San Juan Predators | 30 | 4 | 503.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Caloocan Loadmanna Knights | 29 | 5 | 461.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 4 | Manila Indios Bravos | 23 | 11 | 418.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 5 | Rizal Batch Towers | 23 | 11 | 384.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 6 | Cavite Spartans | 18 | 16 | 366 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 7 | Pasig City King Pirates | 17 | 17 | 372 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 8 | Antipolo Cobras | 13 | 21 | 303 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 9 | Isabela Knight Raiders | 10 | 24 | 266.5 | |
| 10 | Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 | 12 | 22 | 289 | |
| 11 | Cagayan Kings | 5 | 29 | 235 | |
| 12 | Quezon City Simba's Tribe | 4 | 30 | 247 | |

#### Southern Division

| Pos | Team | W | L | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 30 | 4 | 510 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 29 | 5 | 470 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Negros Kingsmen | 28 | 6 | 472 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 4 | Zamboanga Sultans | 21 | 13 | 384 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 5 | Toledo City Trojans | 20 | 14 | 374.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 6 | Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors | 15 | 19 | 333 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 7 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 13 | 21 | 318.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 8 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 12 | 22 | 311.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 9 | Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates | 8 | 26 | 265.5 | |
| 10 | Cebu City Machers | 9 | 25 | 273.5 | |
| 11 | Palawan Queens' Gambit | 5 | 29 | 283.5 | |
| 12 | Iriga City Oragons | 4 | 30 | 218.5 | |

### Playoffs

Scores within parentheses are the result of the Armageddon play tiebreaker in either sets which ended in the draw or both teams having the same aggregate score after all sets have been played.

#### Northern Division

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | Laguna Heroes | 16 | 19 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Antipolo Cobras | 5 | 2 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Antipolo Cobras | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Laguna Heroes | 9 | 13 | 1 (3) | | | | | |
| | | | | | 4 | Manila Indios Bravos | 12 | 8 | 1 (0) | | | | | |
| 4 | Manila Indios Bravos | 12 | 10.5 (2) | 2 | 4 | Manila Indios Bravos | 12 | 8 | 1 (0) | | | | | |
| 5 | Rizal Batch Towers | 9 | 10.5 (1) | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Rizal Batch Towers | 9 | 10.5 (1) | 0 | | | | | | 1 | Laguna Heroes | 12.5 | 10.5 (3) | 2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 | San Juan Predators | 8.5 | 10.5 (0) | 0 |
| 2 | San Juan Predators | 11.5 | 13.5 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | San Juan Predators | 8.5 | 10.5 (0) | 0 |
| 7 | Pasig City King Pirates | 9.5 | 7.5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Pasig City King Pirates | 9.5 | 7.5 | 0 | 2 | San Juan Predators | 9 | 10.5 (2) | 1 (2) | | | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Caloocan Loadmanna Knights | 12 | 10.5 (1) | 1 (1) | | | | | |
| 3 | Caloocan Loadmanna Knights | 14.5 | 8.5 | 1 (2) | 3 | Caloocan Loadmanna Knights | 12 | 10.5 (1) | 1 (1) | | | | | |
| 6 | Cavite Spartans | 6.5 | 12.5 | 1 (1) | | | | | | | | | | |
Source: PCAP

#### Southern Division

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 14 | 15.5 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 7 | 5.5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 7 | 5.5 | 0 | 1 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 10.5 (2) | 15.5 | 2 | | | | | |
| | | | | | 5 | Toledo City Trojans | 10.5 (1) | 5.5 | 0 | | | | | |
| 4 | Zamboanga Sultans | 8.5 | 9 | 0 | 5 | Toledo City Trojans | 10.5 (1) | 5.5 | 0 | | | | | |
| 5 | Toledo City Trojans | 12.5 | 12 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Toledo City Trojans | 12.5 | 12 | 2 | | | | | | 1 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 9.5 | 11 | 1 (1) |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 11.5 | 10 | 1 (2) |
| 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 16.5 | 15.5 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 11.5 | 10 | 1 (2) |
| 7 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 4.5 | 5.5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 4.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 13 | 12 | 2 | | | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Negros Kingsmen | 8 | 9 | 0 | | | | | |
| 3 | Negros Kingsmen | 14 | 13.5 | 2 | 3 | Negros Kingsmen | 8 | 9 | 0 | | | | | |
| 6 | Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors | 7 | 7.5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
Source: PCAP

### Grand finals

| Set | North Division Team | Points | South Division Team |
| 1 | Laguna Heroes | 14.5 – 6.5 | Camarines Soaring Eagles |
| 2 | Laguna Heroes | 9.5 – 11.5 | Camarines Soaring Eagles |
| Aggregate | Laguna Heroes | 1 – 1 (2 – 1) | Camarines Soaring Eagles |

### Awards

* Best Player of the Conference: Jem Garcia (Caloocan)
* Finals Most Valuable Player: Banjo Barcenilla (Laguna)

## Reinforced Conference

The Reinforced Conference will also be known as the Wesley So Cup for this season due to sponsorship of Filipino-American chess player Wesley So himself. Each team would be allowed to field one foreign player; who may either be a rated, lady, or senior player. The same format from the All Filipino Conference will be used for the Reinforced Conference which is scheduled to begin on May 15.

### Foreign players
#### Northern Division

* Jimmy Chee Meng Liew (Caloocan)
* Alexei Barsov (Cagayan)
* Wagish Kumar Rai (Cavite)
* Kirill Shevchenko (Laguna)
* Yosef Taher (Manila)
* Viktor Moskalenko (San Juan)
* Siew Kai Xin (Quezon City)
* Kevin Goh (Pasig)
* Gombosuren Munkhgal (Pasig)

#### Southern Division

* Marie Sebag (Camarines)
* Poompong Wiwatanadate (Cebu City)
* Nitzan Steinberg (Cordova)
* Hovhannes Gabuzyan(Iloilo)
* Phạm Lê Thảo Nguyên (Lapu-Lapu City)
* Fruzsina Szente-Varga (Mindoro)
* Steven Breckenridge (Negros)
* Padmini Rout (Palawan)
* Amir Bagheri (Toledo)
* Alexandr Fier (Zamboanga)

### Regular season
#### Northern Division

| Pos | Team | W | L | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | San Juan Predators | 31 | 3 | 499 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 2 | Manila Indios Bravos | 30 | 4 | 438 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Laguna Heroes | 26 | 8 | 471 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 4 | Caloocan Loadmanna Knights | 26 | 8 | 445.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 5 | Antipolo Cobras | 25 | 9 | 437 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 6 | Pasig City King Pirates | 20 | 14 | 380 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 7 | Isabela Knight Raiders | 17 | 17 | 313 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 8 | Cagayan Kings | 13 | 21 | 323 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 9 | Cavite Spartans | 10 | 24 | 294.5 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 10 | Quezon City Simba's Tribe | 7 | 27 | 259.5 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 11 | Rizal Batch Towers | 5 | 29 | 273.5 | |
| 12 | Olongapo Rainbow Team 7 | 1 | 33 | 200 | |

#### Southern Division

| Pos | Team | W | L | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 28 | 6 | 460 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 28 | 6 | 458.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 3 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 27 | 7 | 501.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 4 | Negros Kingsmen | 23 | 11 | 404.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 5 | Zamboanga Sultans | 21 | 13 | 391.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 6 | Toledo City Trojans | 17 | 17 | 347.5 | Qualification to the Division Quarterfinals |
| 7 | Palawan Queens' Gambit | 10 | 24 | 300.5 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 8 | Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates | 10 | 24 | 281 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 9 | Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors | 9 | 25 | 290.5 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 10 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 9 | 25 | 287.5 | Qualification to the Division Play-ins |
| 11 | Cebu City Machers | 9 | 25 | 273 | |
| 12 | Iriga City Oragons | 6 | 28 | 235.5 | |

### Play-ins

The seventh to tenth best finishing teams in the regular season qualify for the play-ins. The seventh place team play against the tenth place team, and the eight place team play against the ninth place team. The lower seeded teams needed to beat the higher seeded team to advance.

#### Northern Division

| Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals |
| | | | | | 1 | San Juan Predators |
| 8 | Cagayan Kings | 10 | 10 | 0 | P2 | Play-in 1 winner |
| 10 | Cavite Spartans | 11 | 11 | 2 | | |
| Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals |
| | | | | | 2 | Manila Indios Bravos |
| 7 | Isabela Knight Raiders | 10 | 14.5 | 1 | P2 | Play-in 2 winner |
| 10 | Quezon City Simba's Tribe | 11 | 6.5 | 1 | | |
Source: PCAP

#### Southern Division

| Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals |
| | | | | | 1 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors |
| 8 | Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates | 13 | – | 1 | P2 | Play-in 1 winner |
| 10 | Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors | 8 | – | 0 | | |
| Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Play-ins | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals |
| | | | | | 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle |
| 7 | Palawan Queens' Gambit | 10 | 7 | 0 | P2 | Play-in 2 winner |
| 10 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 11 | 14 | 2 | | |
Source: PCAP

### Playoffs

Scores within parentheses are the result of the Armageddon play tiebreaker in either sets which ended in the draw or both teams having the same aggregate score after all sets have been played.

#### Northern Division

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | San Juan Predators | 12 | 18 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| P2 | Cavite Spartans | 9 | 3 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| P2 | Cavite Spartans | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | San Juan Predators | 13 | 11.5 | 2 | | | | | |
| | | | | | 5 | Antipolo Cobras | 8 | 9.5 | 0 | | | | | |
| 4 | Caloocan Loadmanna Knights | 5 | 11.5 | 1 (1) | 5 | Antipolo Cobras | 8 | 9.5 | 0 | | | | | |
| 5 | Antipolo Cobras | 16 | 9.5 | 1 (2) | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Antipolo Cobras | 16 | 9.5 | 1 (2) | | | | | | 1 | San Juan Predators | 12 | 13.5 | 2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Laguna Heroes | 9 | 7.5 | 0 |
| 2 | Manila Indios Bravos | 16 | 10 | 1 (3) | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | Laguna Heroes | 9 | 7.5 | 0 |
| P1 | Isabela Knight Raiders | 5 | 11 | 1 (0) | | | | | | | | | | |
| P1 | Isabela Knight Raiders | 5 | 11 | 1 (0) | 2 | Manila Indios Bravos | 9 | 12 | 1 (1) | | | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Laguna Heroes | 12 | 9 | 1 (2) | | | | | |
| 3 | Laguna Heroes | 12 | 17.5 | 2 | 3 | Laguna Heroes | 12 | 9 | 1 (2) | | | | | |
| 6 | Pasig City King Pirates | 9 | 3.5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
Source: PCAP

#### Southern Division

| Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals | Finals |
| 1 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 13.5 | 14 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | |
| P2 | Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates | 7.5 | 7 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| P2 | Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates | 7.5 | 7 | 0 | 1 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 13.5 | 12 | 2 | | | | | |
| | | | | | 4 | Negros Kingsmen | 7.5 | 9 | 0 | | | | | |
| 4 | Negros Kingsmen | 13.5 | 12 | 2 | 4 | Negros Kingsmen | 7.5 | 9 | 0 | | | | | |
| 5 | Zamboanga Sultans | 7.5 | 9 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5 | Zamboanga Sultans | 7.5 | 9 | 0 | | | | | | 1 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors | 8 | 5.5 | 0 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 13 | 15.5 | 2 |
| 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 14.5 | 17.5 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 13 | 15.5 | 2 |
| P1 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 6.5 | 3.5 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
| P1 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 6.5 | 3.5 | 0 | 2 | Camarines Soaring Eagle | 10.5 (2) | 8.5 | 1 (1) | | | | | |
| | | | | | 3 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 10.5 (1) | 12.5 | 1 (2) | | | | | |
| 3 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 15 | 15 | 2 | 3 | Iloilo Kisela Knights | 10.5 (1) | 12.5 | 1 (2) | | | | | |
| 6 | Toledo City Trojans | 6 | 6 | 0 | | | | | | | | | | |
Source: PCAP

### Third place playoff

| Set | North Division Team | Points | South Division Team |
| 1 | Laguna Heroes | 10.5 – 10.5 | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors |
| Result | Laguna Heroes | 1 – 1 (2 – 1) | Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors |

### Grand finals

| Set | North Division Team | Points | South Division Team |
| 1 | San Juan Predators | 8 – 13 | Iloilo Kisela Knights |
| 2 | San Juan Predators | 9.5 – 11.5 | Iloilo Kisela Knights |
| Aggregate | San Juan Predators | 0 – 2 | Iloilo Kisela Knights |

## Open Conference

Foreign teams were eligible to compete as guests for this tournament. The conference was also known as the PCAP/San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Premier Cup due to sponsorship reasons. The San Juan Predators won the conference.

### Teams

The following are guest teams for the Open Conference.

#### Local guest teams

* CCE Sunrays
* Davao Executive Chess Society
* Pampanga Checkers
* Philippine national para chess team

#### Foreign guest teams

* Peng Cheng Dragons
* Penang Blue Panthers
* Team SinQGApore
* Double Bishop Bangkok

## All-Star Game

An All-Star Game was held on May 2, 2021 following the conclusion of the All Filipino Conference which was contested by selection teams representing the North and South Divisions. The composition of the teams were determined through vote by both fans and the league's players and coaches. The Northern All Stars won over their Southern counterparts through an Armageddon tiebreaker.
| Set | Team 1 | Points | Team 2 |
| 1 | Northern All Stars | 23 – 17 | Southern All Stars |
| 2 | Northern All Stars | 19 – 23 | Southern All Stars |
| Aggregate | Northern All Stars | 1 – 1 (3 – 2) | Southern All Stars |

## Awards

* Season MVP – Oliver Barbosa (San Juan)
* Mythical Seven
** Top-rated players
*** Oliver Barbosa (San Juan)
*** Jem Garcia (Caloocan)
** Lady player – Jan Jodilyn Fronda (San Juan)
** Senior player – Cris Ramayrat (Pasig / Manila)
** Homegrown players
*** John Paul Gomez (Laguna)
*** John Michael Silvederio (Iloilo)
*** Fritz Bryan Porras (Iloilo)
* Team Sportsmanship Award – Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates