The process is longer for sure. But there is basically no downside to accepting it. Last summer, I received on Ontario expression of interest which I accepted and then applied to receive the provincial nomination. But before that application was processed, I received an ITA in a general draw via FSW. My lawyer said that if I accepted the FSW ITA my OINP application would be automatically canceled. I did email them as a courtesy however.
Basically, if you are not in Canada, I highly recommend that you accept it. If an FSW draw does happen soon (which I would not expect due to the election rumors) you can always take the ITA from that.
That said, if you are currently in Canada working, I would think about waiting to be CEC eligible.
Btw, how is your CRS score so high?