International Master Daniel Quizon fortified his status as the most promising young chess player in the country today as he ruled the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Tour of Champions on Sunday at Greenhills Mall in San Juan City.

Quizon, who has already completed all three Grandmaster norms but needs to raise his standard chess ratings from 2460 to 2500 to become a full-fledged GM, topped the round-robin eliminations and defeated Ellan Asuela in the final duel to claim the trophy and the P80,000 cash prize.

"I'm very happy to win again, especially in a major tournament like this," said the 19-year-old Quizon, whose stints here and abroad are being supported by Dasmarinas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga, councilor Kiko Barzaga and national coach FIDE Master Roel Abelgas.

Asuela earned P30,000 for a runner-up finish.

PCAP has gathered 12 champions from all over the country to compete in unique tournament that features a step-ladder playoffs among the top 8 players.

In the final four, Quizon defeated 13-time Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Asuela outplayed Kevin Arquero.

Earlier, Antonio won over International Master Chito Garma and Arquero scored an upset win over FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus.

In the battle for third, Antonio defeated Arquero and took home the P20,000 prize.

Arquero, Literatus and Garma received P5,000 each.

The other players in the tournament were International Master Kim Steven Yap, International Master Joel Banawa, Mark Kevin Labog, Virgen Gil Ruaya, John Philip Gabuco and Omar Bagalacsa.

PCAP commissioner Paul Elauria, PCAP chairman Michael Angelo Ong Chua, Ortigas Malls AVP head of marketing Monique Castaneda, Ortigas Malls associate marketing manager Sheila Marie Perez, Jessie Villasin and tournament director Hubert Estrella were at hand during the awarding ceremony after the final match on Sunday.