KABAYAN WORLD 9-BALL IN CALAPAN, MINDORO

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---Perry Mariano, the manager of Bugsy Promotion, vowed to loan his best players to the home team in the Kabayan World 9-Ball Challenge: Philippines vs. Rest of the World on Nov. 12-13 at the Filipiniana Hotel in Calapan City.

Ronnie Alcano, the reigning world champion in 9-ball and 8-ball, will lead the charge with money game specialist Dennis Orcollo and Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica backstopping him. "With the country's honor at stake, we should send our best players in the event," said Mariano. The sportsman/businessman added that if his player other than the fearsome triumvirate of Alcano, Orcollo and Gabica will rule the World Pool Championship next month, he will also field him in the event named after Vice-President Noli "Kabayan" De Castro.

"We're considered the best pool-playing nation in the world and we have to live up to that billing," said Mariano.

Governor Arnan Panaligan of Mindoro, appreciates Mariano's support in the event co-organized by the Rocketman Enterprises and the local government of Oriental Mindoro.

"It is the biggest sporting event in our province and it won't be complete without the best players in the world," said Panaligan.

The winning team in the event supported by Sporteum Philippines Inc. (ACCEL) president Wilfredo Ortiz , Solar Sports, Business Mirror and the local officials of Oriental Mindoro will receive $20,000 while the losing team will go home with $10,000.

The teams will be composed of five players. Each player will face all the players of the opposing team in 10-rack matches. A win is worth two points while a draw is worth one point. The event will use the match-point system. In case of a tie, the team with more racks won will be declared champion.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)