Mindoro tabs Denise Sy as No.1 pick in PCAP draft

MANILA, Philippines – This could be the start of something good for the Mindoro Tamaraws.

The Tamaraws, who have struggled mightily in the past second season of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, selected Denis Sy as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Draft.

The 30-year-old Sy, a Mindoro Occidental native, is a two-time SCUAA (State College and Universities Athletic Association) Board 2 women’s category champion and a team champion representing Region IV in 2013. She has also competed in the Palarong Pambansa.

Sy will add to the roster that has taken a beating up and down the boards with the exception of Nezil Miralles, who has been one of their shining stars. They also added Stephen Reloj with the top pick of the second round.

The Cebu Machers selected Allan Cantonjos with the second overall pick. The Cavite Spartans chose Jonathan Docot (sixth overall), while Isabela called out the names of ZsuZsa Tabudlong with the seventh pick and Franz Barretto at the same point of the second round.

Camarines-Iriga selected Chin Lim at eighth overall. The Cagayan Kings brought in Mark Lester Acejo into their fold with the ninth pick.

Newcomers Mandaluyong Tigers selected Rolando Yutuc and Ricardo Jimenez at the 10th spot of both the first and second rounds. 

Selecting 12th was Surigao, which picked Fame Fazon and Arnel June Iligan in both first and second rounds.

The Manila Indios Bravos made Jovert Valenzuela their sole addition with the 13th overall pick.

The Toledo Trojans bagged Kim Steven Yap with the 14th pick.

The Laguna Heroes looked to revamp their lineup by adding Daniel Quizon as their choice in the first round with the 15th pick. They added Michael Concio Jr., Jerlyn Mae San Diego — who impressed as a guest player for the Philippine Paralympic Team during the Open Conference of the first PCAP season — Dino Ballecer and Nicomedes Alisangco all in the succeeding rounds.

The hungry Negros Kingsmen, who came within sniffing distance of a PCAP title in last year’s Open Conference added Xavier Verdon as their top pick with the 16th spot overall. They took in Michael Ocio, Rodolfo Toledo, Genesis Borromeo, Jerich Cajeras and Kristel Shayne Herrera in the next rounds.

The only other team to draft another player was the San Juan Predators, who added Jerad Docena with the 18th overall pick. 

The rest of the squads passed on all their slots.

The third PCAP season kicks off on February 18.