Palawan creates Philippines' first all-female pro chess team in PCAP draft

True to its team name, Palawan Queens' Gambit has created the Philippines' first all-female professional chess team.

At the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) draft on Sunday, Palawan selected four woman masters for their picks.

The team picked Woman International Master Shania Mae Mendoza in the first round, followed by WIM Catherine Pereña-Secopito, WIM Antoinette San Diego, and WIM Mikee Charlene Suede.

"I think with our brave step in building an all-female team to compete in this dominantly male league, we are now finally able to make a HERstory in Philippine Chess," manager-coach Susan Neri told GMA News Online.

Other team members include Woman National Masters Carmelites Abanes and Cecilia Cuizon, who are both playing in the senior division.

Completing the team are homegrown players Marife Dela Torre, Yanika Eli Seratubias, and Jesibel Maberit.

"In choosing to field an all-female team, we will garner more interest from Filipinas to play chess," said team owner Jorge Mitra.

The PCAP inaugural tournament will be held virtually in light of the pandemic and will officially start on January 16.

—MGP, GMA News