Friday, October 5, 2007

WPC + BSCP RANKINGS

EX-WORLD CHAMP STRICKLAND, VAN VOENING LEADS US BETS IN WPC

EX-world pool titlist Earl "The Pearl" Strickland and rising young player Shane van Boening will lead the 15-man delegation of the United States to the 2007 World Pool Championship at the Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 3-11.

This was bared yesterday by tournament director Sol Gueco, after the United States Professional Pool players Association (UPA) named the 15 players as the official US representatives in the WPC based on their performance in major US pool events and previous world pool championships.

Strickland, noted for his erratic behavior in tournaments, won the WPC in 2002 in Cardiff, Wales when he beat Filipino stalwart Francisco "Django" Bustamente 17-15 in the finals.

Van Boening, nicknamed the South Dakota Kid, has made a name for his stellar play this year in major tournaments in the US, often against Filipino aces. Most notably, he won the Predator International 10-Ball Championship in Florida.

Joining them in the tournament are compatriots Johnny Archer, Charlie Bryant
Corey Deuel, Mike Davis, Troy Frank, Jeremy Jones, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam
Tony Robles, Robb Saez , John Schmidt , Charlie Williams and Ronnie Wiseman.

American Players qualify for the World Pool Championship by attaining top ranking on the UPA Tour. Also, at every UPA tour stop, the 1st and 2nd place finisher are automatically invited to the WPC.

The Philippines is hosting the WPC for the second year in succession. This year's world championship is being presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Tickets to the WPC are now on sale at all SM stores nationwide and at the Araneta Coliseum box office.



1ST SMC BSCP 9-BALL RANKING POINTS TOUR WILL BE HELD IN SM BACOOR

THE San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) will be holding a 9-Ball Tournament to determine Ranking among Filipino players. Winner of the tournament takes home the top prize of P50,000.

Some of the country's top cue artists are expected to battle it out in the event sanctioned and organized by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines, hosted by Bacoor, Cavite mayor Strike Revilla. The tournament is sponsored by SMC. The semi-final and championship round will start at 2:00pm on October 10 in SM Bacoor, Cavite.

Antonio Gabica, fresh from winning the 2007 SMB RP 9-Ball Open, Jeffrey de Luna, first Hari ng Mesa (King of the Table) Pool Showdown winner, and Gandy Valle, who teaming up with Jay Jay Millares to emerge champion in the 1st SMC Scotch 10-ball doubles have signified their intention to play in this tournament.

"This is the first time that the BSCP is conducting an official ranking tournament which aims to promote camaraderie among Filipino pool players and discover the future world class athlete," said BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo.

The qualifying round will be held at the Side Pocket Billiard Hall in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on October 9 at 10:00am where the top four finishers will advance in the tournament proper in SM Bacoor, Cavite.

Tournament director Jojo Santos Arruejo added that the runner-up in this tournament will take home P20,000, third place gets P10,000 while fourth place receives P5,000.
Fifth to 8th placers received P2,500 while 9th to 16th placers satisfied P1,000 each. Entry pee is pegged at P300.

For inquiries and details, please contact tournament director Jojo Santos Arruejo at (0915) 700-8000, Gandy Valle (0916) 958-9897 and Jharome Pena at (0918) 394-2779 for complete details.

Other SMC sponsored billiard activities are first-ever SMC Speed Shoot invitational challenge on October 11 followed by SMC Challenge the House Pro Player on October 12, both will be held at the famous Bugsy Lair's Billiard Hall in Sgt. Esguerra, Timog, Quezon City, one of the highlights of SMB's annual Octoberfest.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)

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