BILLIARD NEWS OCT. 10

PACMAN PUTTING UP A PHP2.0 MILLION 9-BALL INT'L TOUR


FRESH from his repeat victory over Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao shows his support of Philippine Billiards, and his way of giving thanks for his good fortune, by putting up Php2.0 million in prize money for a 9-Ball Tournament.

"Gusto lamang ni Manny (Pacquiao) na magpasamalat at ibahagi ang kanyang tagumpay sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya magpapalaro siya ng Manny Pacquiao International 9-ball," said RP no.1 trickshot player Julie Falcon Guevarra, organizer of the first P2.0 Million Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Open.

Tournament director Falcon added that the qualifying round will be held on October 24-25 and 26 at the Hobbies of Asia Bldg. along Macapagal Ave. in Pasay City.

The last 16 survivor after the qualifying round will test their skill in the knock-out stage on October 27 at the SM Mall of Asia and will be aired on Solar Sports.

In fact, the world renowned pair of Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante have confirmed participation in the four-day event, which stakes P1 million to the winner and P500,000 to the runner-up, according to Falcon.

Also lending class and prestige to the tournament are double world champion Ronnie Alcano, Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco and Lee Vann Corteza, who finished runner-up in the recent Guinness 9-Ball Tour grand finals in Bali, Indonesia.

Bata, Django and Alcano and company will be coming off the US 9-Ball Open Tournament before the Pacquiao 9 ball titlt.

Guevarra is expecting more than 100 players to see action in the event that is supported by Solar Entertainment Corporation. You can reach Guevarra at (0918) 319-0414 for complete details.


PAGULAYAN TOPS CANADIAN 9-BALL TOUR

FORMER World Pool Champion Filipino Alex Pagulayan won his third major title this year by demolishing Canadian Tyler Edey, 11-5, in the finals of Canadian 9-Ball Tour Stop last October 5-7 at the Bigwigs Billiards in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.

With his feat, the Cabagan, Isabela native received the top prize of $5,000 in the 94 player field that attracted top pool players headed by Ralf Souquet of Germany, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Filipino-Canadian and last years tour champion Edwin Montal, Brady Gollan, Jeff White, Chris Orme, Jason Klatt, Erik Hjorliefson, Alain Martel, John Morra, Ron Wiseman and Mario Morra.

The Diminutive cue artists playing under Puyat Sport's stable also won the 17th Japan 9-Ball Open last February in Tokyo, Japan by trouncing Taiwanese Ro-Li Wen (9-6) in the finals to capture the top prize of 1.5 million yen.

Pagulayan, the 2005 US Open 9-ball ruler beat Shane Van Boening of the United States to rule the 2007 World Summit of Pool at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada last June enroute top prize $12,000.

Pagulayan, who lifted the RP snooker and pool team to five gold medals in the 2005 Manila SEA Games beat hometown bet Antonio "Gaga" Gabica, 13-10, in the Sun.Star Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge Open Division at the SM Trade Hall in Cebu City last July for P160,000 grand prize.

Here in his Canadian tour, according to official website yesterday, Pagulayan, the 2006 National Championships winner was putting on an incredible display that seemed to draw gasps from the audience at every turn. He won his first four matches by a combined score of 36-9 as no opponent could get more than four games on the wire before retiring in defeat. Jeff White almost beat the diminutive cue master. White kept it close throughout their contest but Pagulayan turned up the heat another notch when White took the match to the hill. Pagulayan claimed the one-game decider to progress and remain unbeaten.



San Miguel, PAGCOR, Dept. of Tourism back World Pool


MANILA, PHILIPPINES---TWO of the country's staunchest sports supporters – San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) – have teamed-up behind the prestigious 2007 World Pool championship set Nov. 3 to 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.

From basketball to boxing to billiards, SMC, the country's leading food and beverage giant, has made its mark in sponsoring worthy sports causes and Filipino athletes.

San Miguel was one of the major backers of Team Philippines that won the country's first overall crown in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. It also recently sponsored the RP squad that competed in the FIBA-Asia men's basketball championship in Tokushima, Japan.

On the other hand, PAGCOR is the single biggest government company responsible for funding the country's national sports development plan under the Philippine Sport Commission. The gaming firm is also into identifying budding sports performers who may one day give honor and glory to the Philippines.

Both SMC and PAGCOR are joint presenters of the $400,000 blue-ribbon billiards competition that is expected to draw the best cue artists all over the globe.

Partnering with Raya Sports, the event's promoter and organizer of the WPC is the Department of Tourism, which has been tapped as a gold sponsor.

Given the tourism's department extensive promotional resources, it intends to drum up awareness so that a lot of overseas billiards and pool enthusiasts will come over to the country to watch the games live, while also savoring the local tourist attractions. At least, 3000 visitors are expected in Manila for the event.

"We would like to acknowledge San Miguel, PAGCOR and the DOT as our partners in staging the 2007 Philippines World Pool Championship," Raya Sports president Yen Makabenta said." A tournament of this magnitude would not be possible without their help."

"Similar to what happened last year, we look forward to an extensive media coverage of the competition, both locally and overseas," added Makabent of the tourney that will be broadcast live for nine straight days simultaneously on ESPN Star Sports and ABC 5.

Billiards fans who want to watch the matches at the Big Dome are urged to buy their tickets early. They are available in all SM Tickenet outlets nationwide and at the Araneta Center box office.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)