PINOY DOZEN

As if to show how entrenched and popular pool is in the Philippines, all 12 Filipino players already qualified in the 2007 World Pool Championship come from all over the Philippine archipelago. All the three major island groups – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao – are represented in the billiards extravaganza set to begin Nov. 3 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Defending champion Ronnie "The Volcano" Alcano is the pride of Calamba, Laguna, also the hometown of national hero Jose Rizal. Angeles City, Pampanga has two famous sons competing in the international competition, with pool icon Efren "Bata" Reyes, the 1999 world titlist, and Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, the 2006 US Open runner-up.

Francisco "Django" Bustamante, who continues to pursue the seemingly elusive world 9-ball championship, is from nearby Tarlac, Tarlac. His cousin, Joven Bustamante, who won the Korean International Open in August, is an overseas Filipino worker in the Middle East.

While now based in Canada, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, who captured the 2004 world pool crown in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, was born in the town of Cabagan, Isabela.

Former Asian Games doubles gold medallist Antonio "Nickoy" Lining is a native of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, while "Marvelous" Marlon Manalo and up-and-coming Jeffrey "Bata" de Luna were born and bred in Mandaluyong and Manila, respectively.

Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, who is now based in Japan and speaks fluent Nihongo, is the lone Visayan representative and was born in Bacolod City. Davao City is represented by native Lee Van Corteza, the reigning national champion. And Bislig, Surigao del Sur is bannered by Dennis "Robo Cop" Orcullo, 2007 BCA Enjoy Pool champion.

There are other top Filipino players who are eying berths in the WPC through the qualifying tournament that will begin on Saturday at the Star Billiards Center. They include Asian Games gold medalist Antonio "Gaga" Gabica, who comes from Cebu, and Roberto Gomez, who hails from Zamboanga City.

Regional pride is expected to play a big role in drawing the crowds to the Big Dome as Filipino fans flock to see and root for their hometown favorites during the nine-day pool festival.

Should another Filipino emerge on top of the field, however, it will be one nation rejoicing once again.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)