WORLD JUNIOR POOL DAY 1

MENDOZA NOW IN MUST-WIN BRACKET AS DAVID STAYS UNBEATEN IN WORLD JR. POOL

RENE Mar David and Mark Aristotle Mendoza had a different route at the start of Philippine campaign of 2007 WPA World Youth 9-Ball for juniors and girls late Tuesday at the Sauerland Stern Hotel in Willingen, Germany.

After getting a bye in stage 1 (round 1), the 17-year-old David, from Barangay Botocan, 4th district Quezon City beat Michal Czarnecki of Poland, 9-5, in stage 1 (winners round 1) to advance to the next round.

While the 18-year-old Mendoza, from Hulo, Mandaluyong City blasted Paul Everette of Canada, 9-5, in stage 1 (round 1) but succumbed to three-time defending champion Wu Yu-lun of Taiwan, 9-6, (stage 1/ winners round 1).

In the distaff side, defending World Junior girls champion Filipino-American Mary Rakin of the United States bowed to Denise Wilkinson of New Zealand, 7-4, a major upset in this round.

QC Majority Floor Leader and 4th district councilor Ariel Inton lauded David's victory saying, "Lalo nating pag-ibayuhin ang panalangin kay Revo (Rene Mar David) na magpatuloy ang kanyang panalo habang dalangin din natin si Makmak (Mark Aristotle Mendoza) na makabalik sa kontensiyon," said sports advocate Inton, the main sponsor of Yang-Orcollo one-on-one match held this year at the Gateway Mall.

Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) coach/manager Christoper Palses is optimistic that his ward Mendoza can bounce back in contention.

"In fairness first time ni Makmak na makapaglaro sa ibang bansa at nanalo agad siya sa Canada, bagama't natalo siya sa Taiwanese pero binigyan niya ng magandang laban. Hope makabawi si Makmak tutal double elimination ang format. Good luck naman kay Revo," said Palses.

Mendoza, playing under the Negros Billiard Stable was relegated in the loser's bracket and a must win situation over Stephen Lammens of Belgium. David, on the other hand takes on Tomoya Iima of Japan in the winner's brackets.

Lammens is coming from a loss to Christopher Futrell of the United States, 9-4, while Iima posted a back to back upset wins over Landon Shuffett of the United States, 9-5, and Kang Lee of Korea, 9-4, respectively.

If David beat Iima, he will face the winner of the match between Diego Gomez of Venezuela and Atilla Bezdan of Hungrary. David who already earned a ticket in the main draw after make it to the quarter-final round in the last year's World Junior in Sydney, Australia.

Mendoza earned a ticket in the World Junior of pool by winning the inaugural Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP)-Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Junior Pool Championship last September beating Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue, Bulacan, 11-3, in the finals.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

WORLD JUNIOR POOL TOURNAMENT

TOUGH TASK FOR RP'S MARK MENDOZA

TOUGH TASK awaits reigning Philippine Junior Pool Champion Mark Aristotle Mendoza after he landed in the upper half bracket in the company of three-time defending World Junior Champion Wu Yu-lun of Taiwan, Albin Ouschan of Austria and Thomas Luttich of the host country.

The 18-year-old Mendoza, member of the Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) will be playing against Paul Everette of Canada at the start of the 2007 WPA World Youth 9-Ball for juniors and girls late Tuesday at the Sauerland Stern Hotel in Willingen, Germany.

However, if he wins his opening match, he will be facing Wu in the next round after getting a "bye" in the first round in this 22 nation boys meet, race-to-9 double elimination format.

"Nakahanda ako. Sana palarin tayo [I'm ready. I hope luck is on my side]," said Mendoza, the pride of Hulo, Mandaluyong City before his departure flight last Saturday whose stint here is being supported by billiard patron Jonathan Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable and Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos.

Mendoza had previously won exhibition games against top player of Bugsy Promotion last March. He beat WPA 9-Ball Champion and WPA 8-Ball Champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, 15-8, for the top prize of P11,000 and 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball runner-up Jharome "Pendong" Peña, 13-12, for P5,000 purse in their 10-ball matches, both played in his billiard hall in Hulo, Mandaluyong City. He also beat Carlo "Cool" Biado and fellow teen-ager Mike Takayama also from Bugsy Promotion for P5,000 purse.

Accompanied by his father/coach Ferdinand Mendoza, Mark fondly called "Big Mac" or "Makmak" in local pool earned a ticket in the World Youth 9-ball junior when he dominated the inaugural Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP)-Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Junior Pool Championship last September by beating Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue, Bulacan, 11-3, in the finals to capture the P50,000 top prize in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corporation at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.

The other Philippine delegate to this tournament is Rene Mar David who is in the bottom half of the bracket and likewise drew a "bye" in the first round. The 17-year-old David, from Barangay Botocan, Quezon City will meet Michal Charnecki of Poland in the next round. Revo, his nickname in pool arena, advanced in the main draw after making it to the quarter-final round in the last year's World Junior in Sydney, Australia.

Other young cue artists joining the 22 nation boys meet are 2006 Sydney World Junior runner-up Ko Pin-yi and Kui Ming Lin of Taiwan, Ruslan Chinahov and Roman Pruchai of Russia, Yevgen Novosad of Ukraine, Stephen Lammens of Belgium, Marc Bucais of Canada, Edward Sandjaja Ikhwan of Indonesia, Diego Gomez of Venezuela, Landon Shuffett, Joshua Newman, Christopher Futrell and Richard Barney of the United States, Xianh Yao of China, Petri Makkonen of Finland, Mathew Lawrenson of Great Britain, Attila, Bezdan of Hungrary, Hao Xiang Han of Hongkong, Nico Wehner, Dominic Jentsch, Ramazan Dincer and Fabian Breuer.

The winner of the WPA sanctioned event brings home the gold medal, with the runner-up getting the silver medal and the third placer receive bronze medal. Meanwhile, Filipino-American Mary Rakin will see in action in the distaff side. The Daly City, California based Rakin is the defending World Junior girl crown.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

ALL JAPAN 9-BALL GOES TO TAIWANESE

BATA REYES STILL WOUND UP AS THE BEST FILIPINO FINISHER; TAIWANESE WU CHIA-CHING AND CHANG SHU-HAN WINS ALL JAPAN

EFREN "BATA" REYES, bowed to eventual winner and fellow World Pool Champion Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, 11-6, in the quarter-final round but still wound up as the best Filipino finisher in the just concluded 40th All Japan Championships 2007 at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan on Sunday.

The 53-year-old Reyes, didn't go home empty handed as he received JPY250,000 after making it to the last eight along with 2001 WPC winner Mika "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland, 2004 WPC runner-up Pei Wei-chang of Taiwan and M. Tanaka of Japan who also lost their quarter-final matches.

The 18-year-old Wu, who took the WPC crown in 2005 Taiwan edition stopped the giant killing ways of T. Kuribayashi of Japan, 11-3, in the finals to pocket the top prize of JPY2,000,000.

On the way to the finals, Wu trounced last year's All Japan Champion Filipino Lee Vann Corteza, 11-6 (last 16), Reyes, 11-6 (last 8), H. Hijikata of Japan, 11-1, (last 4), then toppled Kuribayashi, 11-3, (finals).

Kuribayashi, on the other hand who receive runner-up prize of JPY1,000,000 defeated two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Yang Ching Shun of Taiwan, 11-9 (last 16), compatriot Tanaka, 11-10 (last 8), 1996 WPC winner Ralf Souquet of Germany, 11-10 (last 4) before yielding to Wu, 11-3 (finals).

Corteza and Warren Kiamco from Negros Billiard Stable of Jonathan Sy, both receive JPY125,000 for make it to the last 16. However, two other Filipino pool sharks Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego failed to advance in the money round.

Meanwhile, Chang Shu-Han completed the Taiwanese domination after she bagged the women's crown by beating A. Otani of Japan, 9-5, in the championships round.
Chang also bested reigning Amway World Women's Champion Xiao Ting-pan of China, 9-7 in the quarter-final round then subdued Han Yu also from China, 9-6, in the semi-final round before crushing Otani, 9-5, in the finals.

Final Results:
Men:

The finals-
Wu, Chia-Ching (TPE) 11:3 T, Kuribayashi (JPN)

Semi-finals-
T, Kuribayashi (JPN) 11:10 Ralf Souquet (GER)
Wu, Chia-Ching (TPE) 11:1 H, Hijikata (JPN)

Last 8:
T, Kuribayashi 11:10 M, Tanaka
Ralf Souquet 11:10 Mika Immonen
Wu, Chia-Ching 11:6 Efren Reyes
H, Hijikata 11:5 Chang Pei-Wei

Last 16:

T, Kuribayashi 11:9 Yang Ching Shun
Wang, Hung-Hsiang 9:11 M, Tanaka
Toh Lian Han 7:11 Ralf Souquet
Mika Immonen 11:10 Lu, Hui-Chan
Wu, Chia-Ching 11:6 Lee Van Corteza
Paul Potier 1:11 Efren Reyes
T,Mukai 6:11 H, Hijikata
Warren Kiamco 10:11 Chang Pei-Wei
---------------------------------------------------
Women:
The final-
Chang Shu-Han (TPE) 9:5 A, Otani (JPN)

Semi-finals-
A, Otani (JPN) 9:6 Fu Xiao-Fang (CHN)
Chang Shu-Han (TPE) 9:6 Han Yu (CHN)

last 8:
A, Otani 9:5 Lai Hui-Shan
Fu Xiao-Fang 9:4 Lin Yuan-Chun
Pan Xiao-Ting 7:9 Chang Shu-Han
C, Kawahara 4:9 Han Yu

---------------------------------------------------

Here's the tournament pay outs in the men's division:
Top prize JPY2,000,000, the runner-up here gets JPY1,000,000 while 3rd-4th takes on JPY500,000, 5th-8th : JPY250,000 9th-16th : JPY125,000 and 17th-32nd : JPY60,000.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

LATEST ON THE ALL JAPAN 9-BALL + WORLD JUNIOR TITLES

DJANGO, BEBENG STILL KICKING IN ALL JAPAN

FILIPINOS Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego hurdled their respective rivals to stay in contention in the loser's bracket in the ongoing 40th All Japan Championships 2007 at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan late Friday.

The 43-year-old Bustamante from Puyat Sports trounced Y. Akagariyama of Japan while Gallego from Negros Billiard Stable crushed Ceri Worts of New Zealand to strengthening their bid in the top prize JPY2,000,000 in the double elimination format. The runner-up here gets JPY1,000,000 while 3rd-4th takes on JPY500,000, 5th-8th : JPY250,000 9th-16th : JPY125,000 and 17th-32nd : JPY60,000.

The former World No.1 Bustamante, the 2007 UPA Pro Tour champion in Bellflower, California earlier beat T. Noda of Japan before yielding to another Japanese Y. Hisada in the winner's brackets.While Gallego, fresh from a runner-up finish in the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships crushed Au Chi-wai of Hongkong before bowed to Hung Hsiang-wang of Taiwan.

Other pool campaigners who advanced in the next round of loser's bracket includes 2007 Guinness Asian 9-ball tour champion Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan, Paul Potier of Canada, Lo Li-wen of Taiwan, Kim Wong-dae and Won Sik-ham of Korea, Boong Tiong Tan, Han Toh Lian and Bernard Tey of Singapore, Xu Meng and Shuchun Zhang of China and local bets U. Fukumoto, K. Tokoro, and S. Uchikawa among others.

In the distaff side, reigning Amway Women's World 9-Ball Champion Xiao Ting-pan of China beat Shu Pin-kao of Taiwan to remain clean along with seven others.
Pan bagged the top prize $20,000 by beating Filipino Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit in the finals of 2007 Amway Women's World 9-Ball Championship last April 8 in Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Pan currently No.10 in the Player Money list after accumulating money earning a total of $54,600.

Filipinos Efren "Bata" Reyes, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and defending All Japan Champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza remained in the winner's bracket after racking up two wins.


JUNIOR POOL: RP TEAM LEAVES FOR GERMANY WORLD JUNIOR TILT

THE PHILIPPINES Junior Pool Team leaves for Willingen, Germany to compete with some of the world's best young players in the 2007 WPA World Youth 9-Ball for juniors and girls on Nov. 27 to 30 at the Sauerland Stern Hotel.

Led by current RP Junior champion Mark Aristotle "Big Mac" Mendoza and Renemar "Revo" David, along with head coach Ferdinand Mendoza, the team left yesterday at 2:55 pm aboard Qatar Airlines. Yen Makabenta, Raya Sports events president and Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines Chairman will follow the RP team on Nov.26
according to elder Mendoza.

The Filipinos are the underdogs but capable of springing a big surprise in
the star-studded field of this four day 19-year-old and below boys and girls junior tournament where no less than the classy Wu Yu-lun of Taiwan is the three-time defending champion.

"Nakahanda ako. Sana palarin tayo [I'm ready. I hope luck is on my side]," said Mendoza in a recent interview whose stint here is being supported by billiard patron Jonathan Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable and Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos.

Mendoza had previously won exhibition games against top player of Bugsy Promotion last March. He beat WPA 9-Ball Champion and WPA 8-Ball Champion Ronato "Volcano"
Alcano, 15-8, for the top prize of P11,000 and 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball runner-up Jharome "Pendong" Peña, 13-12, for P5,000 purse in their 10-ball matches, both played in his billiard hall in Hulo, Mandaluyong City. He also beat Carlo "Cool" Biado and fellow teen-ager Mike Takayama also from Bugsy Promotion for P5,000 purse.

The Mandaluyong City shotmaker made waves in the pool world when he dominated the inaugural Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP)-Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Junior Pool Championship last September at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila. Fondly called "Big Mac" or "Makmak" in the local circuit needed one and half hours to beat Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue, Bulacan, 11-3, in the finals to capture the P50,000 top prize in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corporation.

"Mataas ang morale ko kasi todo suporta sa akin si Sir Jonathan Sy at Mayor Benhur Abalos [My morale is high because of the full support given to me by Mr. Jonathan Sy and Mayor Benhur Abalos]," added Mendoza, referring to the solid support of mayor Benhur and local billiards godfather Jonathan Sy, organizer in the recently concluded
$61,400 Negros Oriental 9-Ball Championships in Dumaguete City which topped by Puyat Sports ace Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan.

The 17-year-old David from Barangay Botocan, Quezon City already outright seed in the main draw after make it to the quarter-final round in the last year's World Junior edition in Sydney, Australia.

Other young cue artists joining the 22 nation boys meet are 2006 Sydney World Junior runner-up Ko Pin-yi and Kui Ming Lin of Taiwan, Ruslan Chinahov and Roman Pruchai of Russia, Yevgen Novosad of Ukraine, Stephen Lammens of Belgium, Marc Bucais and Everette Paul of Canada, Edward Sandjaja Ikhwan of Indonesia, Diego Gomez of Venezuela, Landon Shuffett, Joshua Newman, Christopher Futrell and Richard Barney
of the United States, Albin Ouschan of Austria, Xianh Yao of China, Petri Makkonen of Finland, Mathew Lawrenson of Great Britain, Attila Bezdan of Hungrary, Michal Charnecki of Poland, Hao Xiang Han of Hongkong among others.

The host country will parade Thomas Luttich, Nico Wehner, Dominic Jentsch, Ramazan Dincer and Fabian Breuer.

The winner of the WPA sanctioned event brings home the gold medal, with the runner-up getting the silver medal and the third placer receive bronze medal. Meanwhile, Filipino-American Mary Rakin will see in action in the distaff side. The Daly City, California based Rakin is the defending World Junior girl tilt.



BATA, KIAMCO, CORTEZA ADVANCE IN THE ROUND-OF-32 IN ALL JAPAN 9-BALL

FILIPINOS Efren "Bata" Reyes, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and defending All Japan Champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza racked up three straight wins to advance into round of-32 of 40th All Japan Championships 2007 at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan late Saturday.

The 53-year-old Reyes, top player of Aristeo "Putch" Puyat hammered K. Hirota of Japan, 9-7, the 38-year-old Kiamco, from Negros Billiard Stable stuns two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, 9-3, while the 28-year-old Corteza, also playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable crushed 2005 Taiwan World Pool Champion runner-up Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan, 9-6.

Meanwhile, compatriots Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego hurdle their respective rivals to stay in contention in the loser's brackets late Friday.

The 43-year-old Bustamante from Puyat Sports trounced Y. Akagariyama of Japan while Gallego from Negros Billiard Stable crushed Ceri Worts of New Zealand to strengthening their bid in the top prize JPY2,000,000 in the double elimination format. The runner-up here gets JPY1,000,000 while 3rd-4th takes on JPY500,000, 5th-8th : JPY250,000 9th-16th : JPY125,000 and 17th-32nd : JPY60,000.

The former World No.1 Bustamante, the 2007 UPA Pro Tour champion in Bellflower, California earlier beat T. Noda of Japan before yielding to another Japanese Y. Hisada in the winner's brackets.While Gallego, fresh from a runner-up finish in the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships crushed Au Chi-wai of Hongkong before bowed to Hung Hsiang-wang of Taiwan.

With the win, Bustamante takes on Yang while Gallego opposite 1996 World Pool Champion Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany, who lost to 2004 Taiwan World Pool Champion runner-up Pei Wei-chang of Taiwan, 7-9.

Other pool campaigners who advance in the next round of loser's brackets that includes 2007 Guinness Asian 9-ball tour champion Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan, Paul Potier of Canada, Lo Li-wen of Taiwan, Kim Wong-dae and Won Sik-ham of Korea, Boong Tiong Tan, Han Toh Lian and Bernard Tey of Singapore, Xu Meng and Shuchun Zhang of China and local bets U. Fukumoto, K. Tokoro, and S. Uchikawa among others.

In the distaff side, reigning Amway Women's World 9-Ball Champion Xiao Ting-pan of China beat Shu Pin-kao of Taiwan to remain clean along with seven others. Pan bagged the top prize $20,000 by beating Filipino Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit in the finals of 2007 Amway Women's World 9-Ball Championship last April 8 in Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Pan currently No.10 in the Player Money list after accumulating money earning a total of $54,600.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)

FILIPINO ZERNA RUNNER-UP IN KOREAN 9-BALL TOUR

FILIPINO RICKY "BAI" ZERNA bowed to tournament favorite Charlie "The Korean Dragon" Williams of the United States but still wound up as the best Filipino finisher in the just concluded 2007 Korea Pro 9-Ball Tour over the weekend in Incheon, Korea.

Williams played near perfect match beating compatriot Rodney "Rocket" Morris of the United States, 7-3, in the semi-final then stopped the giant killing ways of Zerna, 7-1, in the finals. The victory gave Williams his 3rd international title in Korea and $15,000 for 1st place.

Zerna, member of the Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) received a $5,000 runner-up pay check.

The Bacolod-Dumaguete City based Zerna, whose stint here is sponsored by Jonathan Sy, president of Negros Billiard Stable outclassed countryman Jundel "Jano" Mazon, 10-8, in the quarter-finals then subdued Joven "The Shark" Bustamante, 7-3, in the semi-final round.

Mazon and Bustamante, are both members of Bugsy Promotion.

It was a double black eye for the Bugsy Promotion cue masters who earlier failed to advance in the cross-over semi-final round in the recently concluded Negros Oriental 9-Ball Championships last Saturday in Dumaguete City.

The Bugsy Promotion cue masters who participate in the Negros 9-Ball but failed to progress in the money round were 2007 World Pool Championships runner-up Roberto Gomez, 2006 World Pool Champion Ronato Alcano, 2007 BCA Enjoypool.com 9-ball winner Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and teen-ager Mike Takayama.

Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, the pride of Puyat Sports and the 2004 World Pool Champion took the championship's trophy plus $20,000 top prize in the Negros 9-Ball in the event presented by San Miguel Corporation and supported by businessman Julio Sy Jr. and Negros Oriental 1st district rep.Josie Limkaichiong.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

ALL JAPAN 9-BALL OPENING GAMES + WORLD JUNIOR TITLE

BATA, CORTEZA, KIAMCO WINS OPENER IN ALL JAPAN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

FILIPINO POOL MAESTRO EFREN "BATA" REYES, defending champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza and Warren "Warrior" Kiamco lived up to expectations by hurdling their respective rivals at the start of the 40th All Japan Championships 2007 at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan on Wednesday.

The 53-year-old Reyes playing under the banner of Puyat Sports, the 1999 Cardiff World Pool Champion winner clobbered D. Enami and Y. Morino of Japan, while the 28-year-old Corteza from Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) toppled T. Haraguchi of Japan and 2007 Guinness Asian 9-Ball tour over-all grand finale champion Chang Jung-lin of Taiwan, respectively.

The 38-year-old Kiamco, also from Negros Billiard Stable outplayed K. Suzuki and A. Shiraiwa of Japan to keep Filipino hopes flying high in the event which offers JPY2,000,000 to the champion in this double elimination format according to official website yesterday. The runner-up here gets JPY1,000,000 while 3rd-4th takes on JPY500,000, 5th-8th : JPY250,000 9th-16th : JPY125,000 and 17th-32nd : JPY60,000.

In the next round, Reyes goes up against K. Hirota of Japan, Corteza will test the mettle of 2005 Taiwan World Pool Champion runner-up Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan, and Kiamco opposite two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan.

Hirota, on the other hand crushed compatriots M. Mizushita and Y. Mori, Kuo blasted Lee Chen-man of Hongkong and T. Yamamoto of Japan while Yang, who beat Dennis Orcollo in their one on one match dubbed as The Riches Game of Asia in Gateway Mall, walloped H. Kato of Japan and Toh Lian Han of Singapore, in order.

Not as fortunate were former World No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego who were relegated to the loser's bracket.

The 43-year-old Bustamante, from Puyat Sports nipped T. Noda of Japan but succumbed to Y. Hisada of Japan in the next round, while Gallego from Negros Billiard Stable beat Au Chi-wai of Hongkong but yielded to Hung Hsiang-wang of Taiwan.

Other cue masters who post back to back wins that includes 1996 WPC winner Ralf Souquet of Germany, 2001 WPC winner Mika Immonen of Finland, 2005 WPC winner Wu Chia-ching, Hui Chan-lu and Chih Hsiang-Chuang of Taiwan, Liu Haitao of China, 2006 Doha Asian games 8-ball gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata and ex-WPC champ Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan among others.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)


MARK MENDOZA VYING IN WORLD JUNIOR POOL TILT



MANILA, PHILIPPINES---CURRENT National Junior champion Mark Aristotle "Big Mac" Mendoza takes on an elite field when he joins the 2007 WPA World Youth 9-Ball for juniors and girls on Nov. 27 to 30 at the Sauerland Stern Hotel in Willingen, Germany.

The 18-year-old Mendoza, member of the rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) will be see action against an array of notable cue artists in the 19-year-old and below boys and girls junior tournament where no less than the classy Wu Yu-lun of Taiwan is the three-time defending champion.

"Nakahanda ako. Sana palarin tayo [I'm ready. I hope luck is on my side]," said Mendoza whose stint here is being supported by billiard patron Jonathan Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable and Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos.

Mendoza had previously won exhibition games against top players of Bugsy Promotion last March.

He beat WPA 9-Ball Champion and WPA 8-Ball Champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, 15-8, for the top prize of P11,000 and 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball runner-up Jharome "Pendong" Peña, 13-12, for P5,000 purse in their 10-ball matches, both played in his billiard hall in Hulo, Mandaluyong City. He also beat Carlo "Cool" Biado and fellow teen-ager Mike Takayama also from Bugsy Promotion for P5,000 purse.

The Mandaluyong City shotmaker made waves in the pool world when he dominated the inaugural Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP)-Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Junior Pool Championship last month at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.

Fondly called "Big Mac" or "Makmak" in the local circuit needed one and half hours to beat Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue, Bulacan, 11-3, in the finals to capture the P50,000 top prize in the event sponsored by San Miguel Corporation.

"Mataas ang morale ko kasi todo suporta sa akin si Sir Jonathan Sy at Mayor Benhur Abalos [My morale is high because of the full support given to me by Mr. Jonathan Sy and Mayor Benhur Abalos]," added Mendoza, referring to the solid support of mayor Benhur and local billiards godfather Jonathan Sy, organizer in the recently concluded $61,400 Negros Oriental 9-Ball Championships in Dumaguete City which topped by Puyat Sports ace Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan.

Accompanying Mark in the tournament is father/coach Ferdinand Mendoza. The Mendoza's and another RP junior representative Renemar "Revo" David are scheduled to leave the country on Saturday at 2:55 pm aboard Qatar Airlines.

The 17-year-old David from Barangay Botocan, Quezon City is an outright seed in the main draw after making it to the quarter-final round in the last year's World Junior edition in Sydney, Australia.

Yen Makabenta, Raya Sports events president and Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines Chairman will follow the RP team on Nov.26 according to elder Mendoza.

Other young cue artists joining the 22 nation boys meet are 2006 Sydney World Junior runner-up Ko Pin-yi and Kui Ming Lin of Taiwan, Ruslan Chinahov and Roman Pruchai of Russia, Yevgen Novosad of Ukraine, Stephen Lammens of Belgium, Marc Bucais and Everette Paul of Canada, Edward Sandjaja Ikhwan of Indonesia, Diego Gomez of Venezuela, Landon Shuffett, Joshua Newman, Christopher Futrell and Richard Barney of the United States, Albin Ouschan of Austria, Xianh Yao of China, Petri Makkonen of Finland, Mathew Lawrenson of Great Britain, Attila Bezdan of Hungrary, Michal Charnecki of Poland, Hao Xiang Han of Hongkong among others. The host country will parade Thomas Luttich, Nico Wehner, Dominic Jentsch, Ramazan Dincer and Fabian Breuer.

The winner of the WPA sanctioned event brings home the gold medal, with the runner-up getting the silver medal and the third placer receive bronze medal. Meanwhile, Filipino-American Mary Rakin will see in action in the distaff side. The Daly City, California based Rakin is the defending World Junior girl's champion.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

PINOYS IN JAPAN 9-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BATA, DJANGO VOWS TO BOUNCE BACK IN ALL JAPAN 9-BALL

THE COUNTRY'S most popular cue artist Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante promised to come back strong in the 2007 All Japan Championships which start today , Nov.21-25 at Hotel New Archaic HallOct 3-96 Showa-dori, Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan.

The winner in the event takes on JPY2,000,000 2nd : JPY1,000,000 3rd-4th : JPY500,000, 5th-8 th : JPY250,000 9th-16th : JPY125,000 17th-32nd : JPY60,000

The duo, top players of Puyat Sports failed to advance in the cross-over semi-final round in the recently concluded Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships at the Dumaguete Convention Centerin Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last Saturday which was dominated by fellow Puyat Sports ace Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan.

The 28-year-old Pagulayan outplayed compatriot Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 13-9, in an All Filipino finals to capture the title plus $20,000 top prize in the event presented by San Miguel Corporation and supported by businessman Julio Sy Jr. and Negros Oriental 1 st district rep. Josie Limkaichiong.

Reyes, 53, will face D. Enami of Japan while Bustamante, 43, takes on T. Noda of Japan.

According to Reyes, this is the third time in his professional billiard career that he has only won a few tournaments.

"Y'ung arthritis ko umaatake eh, kaya minamalas tayo sa taong ito, beside bihira na din tayo sumali sa ibang bansa lalu na sa Amerika kasi magastos at mataas 'yung tax," said Reyes, whose other slump was in 1997 to 1998.

"Pero sana maganda ang performance natin sa All Japan para maganda naman ang pasko natin, sa taong ito 'yung Derby City Classic lamang sa Kentucky tayo na nalo ng maganda. Sa World Cup of Pool semi-finalist lamang kami ni Django," added Reyes, who took the Master of the Table award in the Derby City Classic this year in Lousville, Kentucky.

Reyes, a hall of famer in Billiards Congress of America (BCA) won the biggest cash prize ever in history of pool winning last year's International Pool Championships World 8-Ball in Reno, Nevada which offers $500,000 top prize. Reyes only received half of his prize but is confident that before the end of this year he will receive the other half of the cash prize.

Defending All Japan Champion Lee Vann Corteza opens his title retention bid against T. Haraguchi.

Gallego, on the other hand, a five-time Japan winner will test the mettle of Au Chi-wai of Hongkong.

Warren Kiamco, current US Bar Table 9-Ball Champion and 8-Ball Champion will meet qualifiers S8 according to official website.

The triumvirate (Corteza, Gallego and Kiamco) are playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS).

Other notable cue masters that include Mika Immonen of Finland, Ralf Souquet of Germany, Chang Keng kwang of Singapore, Wu Chia-ching, Yang Ching-shun, Chang-Jung-lin, Lo Li-wen and Lui Hui-chan of Taiwan.

Satoshi Kawabata, who beat Filipino Antonio Gabica in the 2006 Doha Asian Games 8-ball final will be the front-liner of the host country



KABAYAN WORLD 9-BALL CHALLENGE: ONE MORE TIME

THE world-class actions in the San Miguel Corporation Kabayan World 9-Ball Challenge: Philippines vs. Rest of the World left the people of Oriental Mindoro gasping for air and wanting more.

"Two days are not enough," said Board Member Butch Soller. "Our kababayans want more actions."

The Team Philippines put an anti-climactic ending in the $30,000 tournament with a massive final day rout on its way to a 31-19 victory at the Filipiniana Hotel in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

There were a number of firsts in the event supported by the San Miguel Corporation, PAGCOR, PCSO, ACCEL, DZSR Sports Radio, Manila Times and Business Mirror.

It was the first time that a province hosted an international team competition in billiards and the first time a match-point system with a possibility of draw is used in a pool tournament here in the country.

It was also the first nationally televised sporting event in Oriental Mindoro. The airing is set on Nov. 27-29 on Solar Sports.

" This is arguably the biggest event in this island," said Oriental Mindoro governor Arnan Panaligan. "We' ve just seen the best set of players to ever play here."

Panaligan admitted he was thrilled to do the ceremonial break alongside double world champion Ronnie Alcano.

With the event ' s smashing success, the organizers are planning to stage bigger and better international competitions in the province.

" Given more time and more help from the national government, Oriental Mindoro could become a major sports hub in the country," said Rep. Alfonso "Boy" Umali of the provinces second congressional district.

Vice-President Noli " Kabayan" De Castro vowed to help his fellow Mindorenos achieve their goal of promoting the province through sports.

" I' ll do my best to make a better and productive Oriental Mindoro," he said when the Team Philippines paid him a visit.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)

PAGULAYAN WINS NEGROS 9-BALL

PHOTO CAPTION:

From (L-R)

Puyat Sports event manager Ish Caparras, Negros Oriental 1st district rep. Josie Limkaichiong, Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships winner Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and 2 nd district rep.George Arnaiz last Saturday at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

ALEX "THE LION" PAGULAYAN ROARS TO WIN NEGROS 9-BALL

DUMAGUETE CITY---ALEX PAGULAYAN, Negros Champion. Banking on his experience and international exposure, Pagulayan added the Negros 9-Ball Tilt to his growing list of billiards honors by outclassing compatriot Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 13-9, Saturday night in the All-Filipino finals of the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental here.

The 28-year-old Pagulayan, fondly called "The Lion" in the world of pool from Puyat Sports clawed back from a 2-4 deficit clustered seven straight racks to seize a comfortable 9-4 lead in the race-to13, alternate break format to pocket the $20,000 top prize of the tournament jointly organized by the Negros Billiard Stable and Puyat Sports and will be aired on Solar Sports from Nov.22-29.

A five-time Japan champion, Gallego, playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) settled for runner-up and the pot of $10,000 in the event presented by businessman Julio "Jun-Jun" Sy Jr, owner of KOPIKO 3-In-1 coffee, Altus Communication, TAO and distributor of NOKIA Philippines and San Miguel Corporation in close cooperation with Negros Oriental Governor Emilio Macias II and Negros Oriental 1st district representative Josie Limkaichiong of La Libertad.

Pagulayan and Gallego, both received a Nokia 7710 courtesy of businessman Julio "Jun-Jun" Sy Jr.

"I was cautious all-throughout because I know Bebeng (Gallego) is a very tough opponent especially in the TV table final matches, but of course besides experience I had a better luck and he was not doing well in the end game after his magnificent performance at the start of the game," the Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan, the 2004 World Pool champion, said.

Although the match looked easy in the final canto, "The Lion" said he was not in top form at the start of the game when Gallego took a 4-2 commanding lead after winning the opening lag. Gallego virtually did himself in by fouling three times against Pagulayan that put the latter's 4-9 lead in the $61,400 total pot tournament jointly organized by NBS and Puyat Sports.

Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) coach/ manager Christopher Palses lauded Pagulayan's title feat, "He played like a true World Champion last night (Saturday), he is the man," said Palses who needed to travel four hours over land, to his head quarters in Bacolod City from Dumaguete City.

Earlier in the night, Pagulayan trounced another NBS bet Elmer Haya, 11-5, in the semi-final round to arrange a titular showdown with Gallego, winner over fellow NBS ace Jarry Pelayo, 11-4. Losing semi-finalist Pelayo and Haya, both unheralded players brought home $5,000 each.

Down from 8-11, Gallego had a chance to close the match at 9-11 count in the nineteen racks after Pagulayan's dry break but failed to capitalize. From there, Pagulayan never looked back as he ran-out the final rack for a 13-9 victory.

"He is good, it is just that I played much better," added Pagulayan, also the 2005 US Open champion.

"I learned a lot from Alex [Pagulayan]. He taught me also and I really lost to a much better player," admitted Gallego, whose victims in the weeklong tourney include BSCP founding chairman Edgar Acaba, 9-8, Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, 9-8, European no.1 player Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 9-1, ex-US Open champion Corey Deuel of the United States, 9-5, 1996 World 9-Ball Champion Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-6, and current National Open Champion Lee Vann Corteza, 9-6, in the loser's bracket.

Gallego, who also posted an 11-0 run in this year's US Open in Virginia only lost here in Dumaguete City against Haya, an 8-9 heart-breaking lost in the opening round last Wednesday.

The Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships is the biggest-ever international standard event in the Visayas and outside Metro Manila which featured some of the world's best that includes a total of nine (9) World Pool Champions headed by Pagulayan, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Ronato Alcano of the Philippines, Johnny Archer of the United States, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan and Mika Immonen of Finland.


CEBU WILL HOST WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS '08?

DUMAGUETE CITY---THE WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS will remain in Philippines for three straight years. However, Manila based billiard fanatics have to raise money to fly to Cebu to watch the biggest 9-ball event in planet, the 2008 World 9-Ball Championship.

Cebu, also known as the Queen City of the South, already staged a dozen international sports events like Chess, Boxing, Triathlon, Judo, Arnis among others. In hosting the WPC, organizers need to raise at least P60 to P75-million.

"Bago mag finals ng WPC nagpakain sa amin si Pagcor chief (Efraim Genuino) at sinigurong ang World Pool Championships ay dito pa din sa Pilipinas gaganapin next year pero sa Cebu hindi sa Manila," said Ronato Alcano, the 2006 Philippines WPC Champion referring to the meeting with PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino along with 1999 Cardiff WPC Champion Efren "Bata" Reyes, before the titular showdown between Gomez and Englishman Daryl Peach in the 2007 WPC.

"Para hindi na gumastos pa ang gobyerno natin, manager o mga players na dadayo pa sa ibang bansa para maglaro ng WPC," added Alcano.

In a separate interview, Morry, a Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Indonesian Pool Federation was disappointed the WPC will not be going to Bali, Indonesia because of financial challenges. Bali was supposed to host the WPC for 2008 and 2009.

"Pool sport is not popular than Badminton and Soccer in my country unlike the Philippines," said Morry, organizer for the annual Bali International 9-Ball Open, also an owner or a pool hall in Jakarta.

After the Philippines got the signal to host the WPC for three straight years, the Indonesian Pool Federation tried to negotiate with Matchroom Sports for the staging in Indonesia from 2008-09.

"Everything is ready, however our government does not have enough funds to sponsor the WPC, all the funds were already allotted to the Thailand Southeast Asian Games," she added.

"A possible co-sponsor maybe a beer but it should be our local TV will feed the blow by blow account of the WPC," said Morry, who flew to the Philippines to watch the WPC and Negros Oriental International 9-Ball before going back to her country on Tuesday.

Bintang, a local beer brand selling only in Indonesia wants a local TV channel to shown the billiard event. Guinness, an Irish stout beer also signified to sponsor the WPC event not to mention the San Miguel Beer.

According to Morry, Macau and Malaysia also signified their intention to host the WPC event.

Meanwhile, Gomez' camp wants a possible rematch with Peach who defeated him in the WPC finals, one of the world 9-ball championships most error laden match committed by both players. The promoter is eyeing at least total of P6-million to stage the said event.

TWO FINGERS PELAYO, 3 OTHERS BATTLE F4 IN NEGROS 9-BALL

DUMAGUETE CITY---JARRY PELAYO and Elmer Haya, two unheralded players have secured slots in the semifinals of the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships
as they dispatched their counterparts late Friday at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental here.

The 32-year-old Pelayo, who hails from Bacolod City fondly called "Putol" or "Two fingers" in the world of pool, who lost his three fingers in a fire cracker accident as a little boy, upset current National Open Champion Lee Vann Corteza, 9-4, while the 30-year-old Haya, a native of Molave, Zamboanga shocked 2004 World Pool Champion Alex Pagulayan, 9-5.

Pelayo and Haya, both playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) are the only undefeated players in this $61,400 total pot tournament jointly organized by NBS and Puyat Sports and offering $20,000 to the champion in the event supported by Negros Oriental Governor Emilio Macias, Negros Oriental 1st district representative Josie Limkaichiong of La Libertad and businessman Julio "Jun-Jun" Sy Jr.

The runner-up here gets $10,000 while losing semi-finalist will walk away $5,000 each in this double-elimination format presented by NOKIA, KOPIKO 3-In-1 coffee, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and ALTUS Communication will be aired on Solar Sports on Nov.22-29.

Pelayo's road to the final four came from wins over Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, 9-8, Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, 9-3, and Elvis Calasang, 9-3, before beating Corteza, 9-4.While Haya's road to the semis came from wins over Ramil Gallego, 9-8, Satoshi Kawabata of Japan, 9-5, Leonardo Didal, 9-6, before downing Pagulayan, 9-5.

Pagulayan, the 2005 US Open 9-Ball Champion, acknowledged "The Lion" in pool world set up final four clash with Haya, who brought down 2001 World Pool Champion Mika Immonen of Finland, 9-7, in the loser's brackets while the Japan based Galleo, will face Pelayo in another feature semi-final round. Gallego defeated 1996 World Pool Champion Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-6, and Corteza, 9-6, respectively to advance in the final four.

"First time namin ni Bebeng (Gallego) na magkalaban at normal lamang ang nararamdaman ko pero sa totoo lamang ay takot ako sa lahat at pressure kay Alex (Pagulayan), hindi pa ako nananalo sa kanya, 2-0 na at pabor kay Alex." said Pelayo, who thanked local billiards patron Jonathan Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable for supporting his campaign here.

Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO

UPDATE ON THE NEGROS 9-BALL TILT

BATA OUSTS ORCOLLO, AS ALCANO AND DJANGO FALLS

DUMAGUETE CITY---HALL OF FAMER Efren "Bata" Reyes, acknowledged as the greatest pool player of all-time played almost 100 percent on Thursday night to oust compatriot Dennis Orcollo, 9-3, to keep Filipino hopes flying high in the on-going Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental here.

The 53-year-old Reyes, top player of Puyat Sports jumped to an early 6-1 lead after winning the opening lag, and was never threatened the rest of the way in the race-to-9, alternate break, double elimination format of the TV table match which will be aired on Solar Sports on Nov. 22-29.

"The balls favor in my side, for flag and country I will do my very best," said Reyes who needed to move past all his opponents in the loser's side to advance in the cross-over semifinal round.

The 28-year-old Orcollo, a former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur break and run in the 8th fame to cut the lead at 6-2 count in the biggest-ever international standard event in the Visayas, made possible through the help of Negros Oriental 1st district representative Josie Limkaichiong of La Libertad, NOKIA, KOPIKO 3-In-1 coffee, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and ALTUS.

Three balls on the break followed a tough brilliant 7-9 combination put the Magician on 7-2, and four unforced errors from Orcollo in the 10th rack allowed Reyes to up his lead at 8-2 racks in this $61,400 total pot tournament jointly organized by Negros Billiard Stable and Puyat Sports.

Reyes, the 1999 Cardiff World 9-Ball Champion only suffered a scratch in the 11th rack that gave Orcollo a chance to slice the lead at 8-3 racks in the event which offers the top prize of $20,000. The runner-up here gets $10,000 while the losing-semi-finalist each receive $5,000.

In the 12th rack, Orcollo committed a dry break giving Reyes a chance to clean up the table for a magnificent 9-3 win in this event which featured some of the world's best that includes a total of nine (9) World Pool Champions headed by Reyes, Alex Pagulayan, Ronato Alcano of the Philippines, Johnny Archer of the United States, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan and Mika Immonen of Finland.

Dumaguete City Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge Rosendo Bandal, an avid billiard fanatic, a national master and former chess Olympian witnessed the superb performance of Reyes against Orcollo.

"This is my first time to see Bata Reyes in person," said Bandal, a close family friend of tournament organizer Jonathan Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable (NBS).

European no.1 player Konstantin Stepanov of Russia had an easy time disposing Alcano, 9-2, in the loser's side and clustered a come from behind 9-7 victory over Francisco "Django" Bustamante, the 2002 Cardiff World Pool runner-up.

The 43-year-old Bustamante, who beat Reyes, 9-2, in the opening round last Wednesday got a comfortable 7-3 lead in the one-loss side but stayed at 7 racks with two unforced errors.

Stepanov, a quarter-finalist in the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships clustered five straight racks to climb at 8-7 lead as Bustamante had a chance to tie the match at 8-all count but suffered a scratch in the 16th rack that provide Stepanov for the 9-7 kill.

Sharing the limelight is Filipino teen-ager Jech-Jech Limen of NBS who made the biggest upsets by demolishing heavyweights Naoyuki Oi of Japan, 9-5, and Wu, 9-3.

Satoshi Kawabata of Japan, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 8-ball gold medalist nipped two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold winner Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, 9-7, and countryman Takahashi, 9-5, to remain in contention in the loser's side.

Meanwhile, reigning US Bar Table 9-ball Champion and 8-ball Champion NBS bet Warren Kiamco of the Philippines defeated Hohmann, 9-7.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

MORE ON NEGROS 9-BALL TOURNAMENT

CORTEZA BEATS SOUQUET; PAGULAYAN CRUSHES WU

DUMAGUETE CITY--- CURRENT Philippine National Champion Lee Vann Corteza overcame a tough challenge from former World 9-ball Champion Ralf Souquet of Germany, 9-7, in the last TV table matches to stay on course and remain an early favorite to advance to the next round in the biggest-ever international standard event in the Visayas, the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental late Wednesday here.

Disappointed with his loss against compatriot Jeffrey de Luna in their quarter-final encounter at the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships in Manila, the 28-year-old Corteza, top player of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) has come well prepared going into this competition jointly organized by NBS and Puyat Sports and will be aired on Solar Sports from Nov.22-29 and setting his eyes on no less than the Negros crown and the top prize of $20,000. The runner-up gets $10,000 while the losing-semifinalist will take home $5,000 each.

Corteza, a multiple Southeast Asian Games gold medalist who hails from Davao City took 6-4 lead after winning the 10th rack in the race-to-9, alternate break, double elimination format. Corteza, fondly called "The Slayer" in the world of pool, who post a 9-4 opening match win against countryman Boyet Drillon will meet another World 9-Ball Champion Mika "Iceman" Immonen of Finland in the third round of winner's bracket today, Fiday. Immonen, a frequent Manila visitor had a hard time disposing Jech-Jech Limen, 9-6, and Warren Kiamco of the Philippines, 9-7.

Souquet, also the 2006 Philippine World Pool Championships runner-up had a chance to tie the game at 8-all count but suffered a scratch in his break in the 16 th racks allowing the Filipino cue artists to escape a 9-7 victory.

Jonathan Sy, who is the brain child to bring the biggest pool event here in Visayas said "It was my dream someday to hold a biggest tournament here in Visayas which include the former World 9-Ball Champions and the top pool player in the land and other top player from neighbor countries along with the Americans and European cue masters," said Sy, president of the Negros Billiard Stable who also got the support of Negros Oriental 1st district representative Josie Limkaichiong of La Libertad.

The Provincial Government, with the help of the private sector, acquired the rights to host the event that is also aimed at boosting the efforts to promote the Province of Negros Oriental. The international event is made possible through the help of the following major sponsors: NOKIA, KOPIKO 3-In-1 coffee, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and ALTUS.

Meanwhile, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, the 2004 Taiwan World Pool Championships champion also post his second straight win against fellow World 9-Ball Champion Wu-Chia-ching of Taiwan, 9-5, in the second TV table matches. He also beat fellow Pinoy Arturo Publico, 9-1, and schedule to meet today, Friday with ex-US Open winner Corey Deuel of the United States, who clustered a similar 9-6 victory over teen-ager Mike Takayama and Chung Chien-te of Taiwan, respectively.

Jarry "Putol" Pelayo and Elmer Haya, both playing of NBS registered back to back upset wins against heavy favored opponents.

The 32-year-old Pelayo, who lost his two fingers when he was a little boy playing with fire crackers, shocked two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, 9-8, and Another Filipino entry Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, 9-3, while Haya, a pool instructor in Kuwait trounced Japan based Pinoy Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, 9-8, and 2006 Asian Games 8-ball gold winner Satoshi Kawabata of Japan, 9-5, in order.

With the win, Pelayo goes up against Elvis Calasang while Haya will face Leonardo "Dodong" Didal in other Filipino third round winner's brackets encounter today, Friday.

Calasang beat Dennis Orcollo, 9-8, and Francisco Bustamante, 9-2, respectively while Didal upsets European no.1 player Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 9-6, and Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, 9-4.

Bustamante who beat his Puyat Sports stablemate tournament favorites Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-2, in their initial encounter needed to win his match in the loser's brackets to stay in the title hunt in this $61,400 total pot prize tournaments. RP billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat is schedule to arrive here today to give support for the Filipinos campaigner according to tournament director Rolly "Lando" Vicente.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

NEGROS 9-BALL TOURNAMENT

FEIJEN BEATS ALCANO IN NEGROS 9-BALL TILT

DUMAGUETE CITY---NEILS FEIJEN of the Netherlands crushed 2006 World Pool Champion Ronato Alcano of the Philippines, 9-4, late Wednesday at the start of the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental here.

The 30-year-old Feijen swept to an early 6-1 lead after winning the opening lag in the race-to-9, alternate break format in the first TV table matches which will be aired on Solar Sports on Nov.22-29.

"I played very good, my shot is awesome and fantastic and the ball always favor in my side," said Feijen who showed dismay in the World Pool Championships because does not favor implementing the soft-break.

"I prepared to use the power break or hard break format for the WPC. This adds excitement to the game compared to the soft-break format," added Feijen who lost to Filipino Roberto Gomez, 11-0, in their quarter-final match using the soft-break method in the 2007 Philippines World Pool Championships.

Feijen, who is scheduled to play in the Euro Tour on Spain on Dec. 9-12 and Mosconi Cup on Dec. 15-17 will meet European no.1 player Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, who brought down Leonardo Didal of the Philippines, 9-6, in the $61,400 total pot four day event, jointly organized by Negros Billiard Stable and Puyat Sports in close cooperation with San Miguel Corporation, Nokia, and Kopiko.

In the battle of the former world 9-ball champions which offers top prize of $20,00, Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan proved that he is much better than Thorsten Hohmann of Germany after a 9-3 win to forge an early confrontation with another World 9-ball champion Alex "The Lion Pagulayan of the Philippines who trounced compatriot Arturo Publico, 9-1.

Other matches saw, 2006 Doha Asian games 8-ball gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan beat Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) founding president Edgard Acaba, 9-7, to meet Japan based Pinoy Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego who edged countryman Elmer Haya, 9-8.

Meanwhile, RP's 1-2 punch and bosom buddy Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante finally crossed the line last night in the other TV table matches when the duo facing each other last night.

"Wala tayong magagawa yan ang lumabas sa main draw eh," said Bustamante, who failed to sleep for 2 days after his defeat to eventual winner Daryl Peach of England in their semi-final match of the recent 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships at the Big Dome in Quezon City.

The 43-year-old 2002 WPC runner-up, said yesterday that he already accepted his setbacks in the prestigious World 9-Ball Tour.

"Marami pa naman ang pagkakataon (WPC) basta foucus lamang tayo ngayon dito sa Negros International 9-Ball," added Bustamante, prize fighter of Puyat Sports.

The survivor of Reyes and Bustamante's game will go up against either Dennis Orcollo and Elvis Calasang.

2007 WPC runner-up Roberto Gomez will test the mettle of 2006 WPC runner-up Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany in another exciting match yesterday.

"Masakit pa din 'yung pagkatalo ko sa WPC pero ganyan talaga ang buhay, baka sa susunod ay ukol na para sa atin," like Bustamante, Gomez also lost to Peach in WPC finals.

If Gomez luckily wins his initial round assignment, he will meet another heavyweight and current national open champion Lee Vann Corteza in the next round. The 28-year-old Corteza, the player of Negros Billiard Stable is expected to beat unheralded Boyet Drillon.

Corey Deuel, a former US Open 9-ball winner is expected win against his match with teen-ager Mike Takayama and a possible encounter to fellow American and another world 9-ball champion Johnny Archer who is still playing as of press time with new comer Chung-Chien-te of Taiwan.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

KABAYAN 9-BALL + NEGROS 9-BALL TOURNAMENTS

RP TEAM WINS KABAYAN SMB WORLD 9-BALL; POCKETS $20,000

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO-THE Kabayan San Miguel Beer (SMB) World 9-Ball Challenge: RP versus Rest of the World was concluded at the Filipiniana Hotel here Tuesday.

Team Philippines composed of last year's WPC winner Ronato Alcano, Marlon Manalo, Gandy Valle, Jeffrey de Luna and Antonio Gabica claimed the title over the World Team (Rest of the World) 31-19, to pocket the top prize of $20,000 in the event that will be aired on Solar Sports on Nov. 27-29 and jointly organized by board member Butch Soller and journalist Noli Sangil Cruz of Mansalay in the first international event in Oriental Mindoro coincides with the province's 57th founding anniversary.

World Team on the other hand whose members headed by Rodney Morris of the United States, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Karl Boyes, Darren Appleton and Scott Higgins of England received $10,000 in the event made possible by the San Miguel Corporation, PAGCOR and PCSO with the help of the Office of the Vice President Noli De Castro, Governor Arnan Panaligan, vice-governor Estee Aceron, Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon, Rep. Alfonso P.A. Umali, Rep. Rod "RGV" Valencia, Sporteum Inc. president (ACCEL) Willy Ortiz, Manila Times, Business Mirror, DZSR Sports Radio, Sebastian Chua and Bugsy Promotion and fully sanctioned by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).

World Team began their title quest with a four point lead (5-1) in the early session Monday going to 19-17 after the evening session.

RP team bounced back yesterday when 1998 Asian Games gold medalist Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle and 2005 World Pool Championships third placer Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo posted contrasting victories over Chamat and Higgins to virtually clinch the title. Valle, who hails from Davao City trounced Chamat, 7-3, while Manalo crushed Higgins, 8-2.

"Sinigurado ko na agad na maganda ang start ko kasi pressure na ang kalaban natin (World Team) kasi lamang na tayo sa iskor," said Valle after the match.

Manalo, meanwhile who posted a 4-0 run before Higgins cut the lead at 4-2 count said "Lahat kami ay nagtulong-tulong (RP team) para manalo at magbigay ng karangalan sa bayan," said Mandaluyong City ace Manalo, who is schedule to carry the country's color's in the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games later this year.

Alcano, the 34-year-old from Calamba City, Laguna nipped Boyes, 9-1, in the last match yesterday afternoon.

"Buti na lamang nakabawi kami sa day 2, krusiyal 'yung panalo nina Gandy (Valle) at Marlon (Manalo) kaya wala ng pressure sa laro ko," said Alcano, one of the seeded players in the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships which begins Nov.14-17 at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City.



POOL SHARKS VIE FOR NEGROS INT'L 9-BALL CROWN TODAY


POOL sharks coming from around the world will be vying for prestige and the coveted crown when the Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships gets underway, November 14-17 at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City.

A total pot prize of $61,400 awaits the winner in the event jointly organized by Negros Billiard Stable and Puyat Sports where $20,000 going to the champion. The runner-up gets $10,000 while the losing semi-finalist each received $5,000.

The tournament will feature former World 9-Ball Champions Efren "Bata" Reyes, Ronato Alcano and Alex Pagulayan, competing against some of the world best that includes another World 9-Ball Champions in the likes of Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan, Mika Immonen of Finland, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohman of Germany and Johnny Archer of the United States.

Not to be outdone are Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco, Lee Vann Corteza and Ramil Gallego of the Philippines, Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, Corey Deuel of the United States and qualifiers Edgar Acaba, Elvis Calasang, Elmer Haya, Leonardo Didal, Naoyuki Oi of Japan and Chung Chien-te of Taiwan.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)

KABAYAN SMB WORLD 9-BALL CHALLENGE

WORLD TEAM AHEAD OVER RP IN DAY 1 OF KABAYAN SMB WORLD 9-BALL CHALLENGE

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro---Rodney Morris and Karl Boyes hurdled their respective opponents to lift the World Team at the start of Kabayan San Miguel Beer (SMB) World 9-Ball Challenge: RP versus Rest of the World at the Filipiniana Hotel on Monday here.

The 25-year-old Boyes, who hails from Blackpool, England, a semi-finalist in the recent 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships beat Antonio Gabica, 7-3, in their 10 rack matche while the 35-year-old Morris, a native of Hawaii and runner-up in the last year's International Pool Tour (IPT) World 8-Ball Championships trounced 2006 WPC winner Ronato Alcano, 6-4.

"I'm just lucky," said Morris, also the former US Open champion and schedule to play in the Korean Pool Championships tomorrow in Seoul, Korea.

Marlon Manalo, 2005 WPC third placer saved the day for the host country after splitting the point with Marcus Chamat, 5-5, as the Rest of the World taking a 5-1 points victory in the first day.

Up by two racks (5-3), Manalo had a chance to win the game but committed a dry break in the 9th racks that put Chamat in the 5-4 count before he ran out the final to rack to salvage a draw (5-5).

Still playing as of press time are Scott Higgins, up against Gandy Valle and Darren Appleton opposite Jeffrey de Luna.

No less than Oriental Mindoro Governor Arnan C. Panaligan, vice-governor Estee Aceron and 2nd district representative Boy "PA" Umali ushered the opening rites in the event jointly organized by board member Butch Soller and journalist Noli Sangil Cruz of Mansalay in the first international event in Oriental Mindoro that coincides with the province's 57th founding anniversary.

The event made possible by the San Miguel Corporation, PAGCOR and PCSO with the help of the Office of the Vice President and second district of Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso P.A. Umali and Rod "RGV" Valencia, Solar Sports will air the actions on Nov. 27-29.

Also supporting the event are the Sporteum Inc. president (ACCEL) Willy Ortiz, Manila Times, Business Mirror, DZSR Sports Radio, Sebastian Chua and Bugsy Promotion.
Brunswick is the official billiard table fully sanctioned by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).

Each player will play against all the players of the opposing squad in 10-rack matches. A win is worth two points, a draw is worth one point and a loss is zero.

In case of a tie in the match point event, the team with more racks won will emerge as champion and bring home the $20,000 prize. The losing team will receive $10,000.


WHY DIDN’T GOMEZ USE SOFT-BREAK? - ALCANO

FILIPINIANA HOTEL, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro---LAST YEAR'S World Pool Champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano is wondering why Roberto Gomez didn't use the soft-break in his race-to-17 WPC finals match against eventual winner Daryl Peach of England.

"Bakit hindi pinagpatuloy ni Gomez 'yung soft-break eh kitang-kita naman na one ball ang wing ball?" said Alcano yesterday, one of five representing the RP team against the “Rest of the World” at the start of the Kabayan World 9-Ball Challenge.

"Sana nag try siya kahit isang beses dahil wala naman mawawala," added Alcano who used the soft-break to beat Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet of Germany in the 2006 WPC finals.

In fact, Alcano called up his manager to remind Gomez to try to sue soft-break when the count was 2-all.

"Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang, kung ako ang nasa katayuan ni Gomez ay tiyak hindi mananalo si Peach sa akin at gagamitin ko ang soft-break dahil inuulit ko ay kitang-kita na one ball naman eh," said Alcano, the only player who both won the WPA 9-Ball and WPA 8-Ball title plus a runner-up finish in the US Open in just a year.

The 34-year-old Alcano adopted the soft-break method when he observed Luong Chi-dung of Vietnam using the controversial method in the early round of 2006.

The 29-year-old former ABS-CBN Zamboanga field reporter Gomez beat Alex Lely of the Netherlands (10-1) in the last 64, Chao Fong-pao of Taiwan (11-4) in the last 32, Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan (11-4) in the last 16, and Neils "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands (11-0) in the last 8 and Karl Boyes of England (11-4) to reach the finals.

His game against, Boyes, the 25-year-old from Blackpool, England, Gomez decided to shift his soft-break method to power-break when the former (Boyes) take a 4-0 commanding lead before Gomez clustered an 11 straight wins for an 11-4 victory.

Alcano added that another problem of Gomez is thinking that the game is championships and must win.

"Last year ng naglaro ako simula last 128 to last 4 ay iniisip ko kailangan kong manalo pero ang hirap pala ng ganon dahil ang lakas ng pressure. Nang kalaban ko si Souquet sa finals hindi ko inisip na finals o manalo basta naglaro lamang ako at pagkatapos nalaman ko na world champion na ako," added Alcano.

Gomez, dubbed as local version of Superman eat the kryptonite of eventual winner Daryl Peach of England, 17-15, as the latter' stake home the top prize $100,000.

"Nasa round-of-64 pa lamang ay sinabihan ko na si Gomez na maglaro lamang dahil pag inisip niyang gusto niyang manalo ay diyan darating si kaibigan, 'yung kabog o kaba lalo na pag nasa isip mo kung ano na ang nakataya," explained Alcano.

If Alcano want Gomez to use the soft-break method, majority of the player include officials from WPA and media group wasn't happy to see the so called soft-break method.

Dux Carvajal, chief bureau of Pro Solution, local media outfit of ESPN here who aired worldwide the prestigious $400,000 World 9-Ball Championships said
"Parang pattern na lamang eh,"

2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio "Ga-Ga"Gabica, the 4th annual SMB RP 9-Ball Open added."Walang kwenta ang soft-break, naka straight ball na eh, kasado na,"

Even teen-ager Mark "Big Mac" Mendoza of Mandaluyong City also commented, " Power-break ako at hindi ako nagso soft-break walang thrill at hindi naman lahat ng pagkakataon ay may one ball o wing ball," said Mendoza, who is schedule to represent the country in the 2007 WPA World Junior Championships later this month in Germany along with Renemar "Revo" David.

Rey Nillama, a veteran photographer said there’s nothing wrong using the soft-break as the player can win his match, "Para sa akin wala naman masama kung gumamit ng soft-break ang isang manlalaro basta mananalo ba siya, eh y'un ang kanyang diskarte eh,".

World Team members headed by Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Rodney Morris of the United States, Karl Boyes, Darren Appleton and Scott Higgins of England don’t want the soft-break implemented in tournaments.

Thomas Overbeck, vice president and sports director of the World Pool-Billiard Association, which sanctions the WPC, has been interviewing players and other experts about the problem here at the event and asking for potential solutions.

"What we would like to have back is that spectacular power break, and that is completely lost here," Overbeck said. "I think nobody wants to see the slow break."

One problem is that no one is quite sure what is making the soft break so effective. Likely it's a combination of factors. Here are the common elements from match to match and table to table: The tables are Brunswick Metros with 4.5-inch pockets; the cloth is new Simonis 860; the 1 ball is racked on the foot spot; and the 1 and the back three balls are tapped. Players are allowed to break from the wings.

The intense lights of the main TV table could be drying out the cloth and allowing balls to slide more. The intense humidity of the Philippines adds an unpredictable element to the equation.

The problem isn't just confined to the main TV table, although it appears to be the most reliable locale for the soft break. In a Thursday match on a peripheral table between Shane Van Boening and Vilmos Foldes, both players employed the slow- or medium-speed break, and sank at least one ball on the break in all 18 racks of Foldes' 10-8 victory.

"It's too easy," said Van Boening after the match. "It's a big advantage for everybody, and everybody has a chance. I don't think it's very fair."

Nor is the problem confined to this year. Overbeck recalled the use of the slow break beginning early in the decade. Notably, 2006 WPC champion Ronnie Alcano used the soft break almost exclusively in the knockout stages and throughout the final.

It's too late to implement any changes to breaking conditions for this year's tournament, Overbeck said. "I'm doing an investigation and trying to think of solutions. … What we don't want to do is change it to 'A' next year, and then 'B' the next year and 'C' the next year. We want to sort the problem out and find the [right] solution."

Some of the many solutions that have been mentioned include mandating a minimum speed for the break and enforcing it with speed guns; moving the rack so the 9 ball is on the spot; and confining the cue ball to the break box.

(Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO)

ENGLAND'S DARYL PEACH WINS WPC

NERVES CAUSES GOMEZ THE WPC TITLE

DARYL PEACH showed the world that England is still a force to be
reckoned in the sport of Pool especially hosting the Olympic Games in
2012 in London. The 35-year-old Black pool England cue artists beat Filipino Roberto Gomez in a race to 17 finals last night with a cliff hanging 17-15 victory at the Big Dome. He also took home the $100,000 cash prize. Gomez on the other hand, took home $40,000.

With the win, Peach is already seeded in the main draw of World Pool Championships in five straight years by winning the title while Gomez could only be seeded in next year's edition which possibly will again be hosted by the Philippines.

In the road to the finals, Peach lost to Matias Ercul of Slovakia (1-9) but liminated Rodolfo Luat of the Philippines (9-3) and Lily (9-5) in the group stage matches to progress. Then he eliminated last year's champion Ronato Alcano of the Philippines (10-6)in the last 64, Lee Kun Fang of Taiwan (10-7) in the last 32, Harold Stolka of Germany (11-5), Francisco "Django" Bustamante (11-10) in the last 8 and Vilmos Voldes of Hungrary (11-2)in the last 4 semifinals.

"Nerves, pressure, but it was an amazing match," said Peach, "He is a champion, it's a lot of pressure in my part," added Peach, who broke the Asian domination from Alex Pagulayan in 2004 edition, Wu Chia-Ching of Taipei in 2005 and Ronato 'The Volcano' Alcano in 2006.

Gomez, on the other hand reached the finals by crushing Neils Feijen of the Netherlands (9-6) and Dharminder Sing Lilly of India (9-4) in their group stage matches, then beat Alex Lely of the Netherlands (10-1) in the last 64, Chao Fong-pao of Taiwan (11-4) in the last 32, rematch Feijen in the last 8, Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan in the last 16 and Karl Boyes of England (11-4) in the semifinals.

"Ito na ang pinakamataas na tournament na pangarap kong makuha," said the tearful Gomez.

"Komportable ako bago magsimula pero dahil na din sa suporta ng crowd, 'yung ingay nila ay lalo akong na pressure," he added. "Kailangan kong kontrolin ang pressure," said Gomez.

The drama in the 31st rack which Peach saw a table-length bank on the blue 2 rattle in the jaws of the bottom left pocket but stay on the cloth.

However, Gomez then missed the orange 5, as soon as he saw that the ball failed to drop, he stood there motionless, knowing that he could have just blown his chance to win the championship.

There was yet another further twist as Peach lost position going from the 8-ball to the 9-ball. That left a tougher shot than anticipated and he then missed a table-length bank on the 9-ball.

But the drama was not over yet. Gomez had a shot at the 9-ball, which would have looked easy for him throughout this tournament. Though this was the pressure-cooker of the World Championship final and the pressure got to him as he missed. Peach then sunk the 9-ball to move to the hill, and eventually win the championship in the next frame.


I LOST MY LUCKY CHALK - GOMEZ

Roberto Gomez admitted last night that he lost his lucky charm chalk. This affected his game.

"Nawala ko 'yung chalk na ginagamit ko, 'yung ang lucky charm ko eh,"
said Gomez in a local media.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

GOMEZ PLAYS PEACH FOR WPC FINALS

RP VERSUS ENGLAND IN WPC FINALS TODAY

LONE Filipino hopeful Roberto Gomez is one step closer to fame and
glory when he beat Englishman Karl Boyes, 11-4, in the semi-final
round to arrange a titular showdown with another Englishman Daryl
Peach, winner over former three-time World Junior Champion Vilmos
Foldes, 11-2, in the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships last
night at the Big Dome.

Gomez and Peach, both neophytes in this prestigious World 9-Ball tournament
will clash for the top purse $100,000 in the event aired worldwide on
ESPN in the race-to-17 finals at 2:30 pm today.

Gomez earlier beat 2005 WPC runner-up Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan, 11-4,
while Peach escaped a controversial 11-10 win against 2002 WPC
runner-up Francisco "Django" Bustamante.

The 28-year-old Gomez, who hails from Divisioria, Zamboanga won the
lag but suffered a dry break allowing Boyes to take the first rack.
Three more racks put Boyes on a 4-0 lead.

In the fifth frame, after trading defense of the two gladiators, Boyes
committed a scratch as Gomez clean up the table for the 1st rack.
Thus, Gomez never looked back clustering 11 consecutive racks
including a golden break in the 12th rack.

Gomez also became the first qualifier to advance in the finals. Taiwanese
Hui Kai-hsia made it to the quarter-final round in 2003 edition.

"Nang una ay naninibago ako sa table 2 at hindi umuubra 'yung
soft-break ko kaya naka 4-0 s'ya agad. Sa table 1 kasi ako palagi at
'dun p'wede y'ung soft-break kaya nag shift ako sa power break sa
table 2." Said Gomez, who swept the last year's group stage matches
including former US Open champion Corey Deuel but lost to compatriot
then eventual winner Ronato Alcano in a huge margin in the
round-of-64.

"Masayang-masaya ako pero nandito pa din 'yung pressure sa puso ko."
added the former ABS-CBN 2 Zamboanga field reporter.

Gomez said he will use soft-break today in TV table 1 matches against Peach.

Gomez won twice, here and abroad, winning the Manny Pacquiao 9-ball in
General Santos and Battle Scandinavia 9-ball in Oslo, Norway.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

HEARTBREAK FOR DJANGO

PEACH BROKE THE HEART OF RP FANS, BEATS DJANGO IN CONTROVERSIAL GAME

ENGLISHMAN Daryl Peach broke the heart of the Filipino fans by beating
hometown favorite Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 11-10, in an
intense and controversial quarter-final game yesterday at the Big Dome
in the ongoing 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships.

Drama at the 20th rack took center stage when Django, thinking he had
won after successfully potting what looked like a one rail 3-9 carom,
was dumbfounded when veteran referee Nigel Rees of Wales stopped play
on the suspicion that the shot was a foul.

Consulting with the slow motion video replays verified Rees's
suspicions as the striped nine clearly budged first before the object
ball on the combination attempt justifying the judgment call.

Unhappy with the decision, Django tried desperately to plead his case,
even calling out World Pool Association Sports Director Thomas
Overbeck in the hopes of producing an overrule. However, after much
deliberation, the foul call was retained much to the disgust of local
fans rooting for their sentimental favorite.

Overbeck said: "I hated to be in that position. Me and Bustamante go a
long way back, but a foul's a foul and we can't be doing the players
any favors. Nigel (Rees) made a great decision - the right decision.
In the end it was his call to make and we should all respect that. It
was just unfortunate for Bustamante to go lose this way but this stuff
happens."

"The referee consulted me and Mikaela (Tabb) and he used the slow motion
in TV to decide the said situation.," said Overbeck.

When play resumed, it took all the heart and courage for an obviously
shaken up Peach to take over where Bustamante left off. But,
showcasing courage and heart befitting of a champion, the cue master
hailing from Blackpool , England silenced the hostile crowd as he
stroked true to clean the rack and bring the first quarterfinals of
the day to hill-hill.

Another flawless execution in the final frame saw Peach come away with
a cool and calculated break and run-out to crush the heart of the
popular Filipino and escape with the 11-10 victory.

Asked about the foul, an understandably disappointed Bustamante
commented: "If it was a foul, the referee should have made the call
right then and there. We should not have gone to the replay and tournament
director to sort these things out."


On the part of Peach, " I knew everybody wants the local player to win
but it's a fouled shot and we can see in TV replays," said Peach who also ousted
defending champ Ronato Alcano in the round-of-64.

Peach will face three-time WPA world junior champ Vilmos Foldes of
Hungary in the semi-final round, winner over 2001 WPC winner Mika "The
Iceman" Immonen ng Finland, 11-7.

Resuming the use of the controversial soft break at TV table 1,
Bustamante ran out in first try at the table.

But perhaps getting too comfortable with the predictable table
conditions, a hurried shot caused him to miss an apparent easy shot. This put Peach on the score board 1-1.

Rack three first break and run out for Peach.

Rack four, Bustamante leaves the pink four exposed after a long series
of safety exchanges which gave Peach an open table for a routine clean
up job to climb up and extend the lead, 3-1.

Two unforced errors of Django put 9-4 lead for Peach. A scratch in the
14th frame allowing Django to come back the game after clustering six
consecutive racks for a 10-9 lead before the controversy in the 20th
frame.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

3 PINOYS IN WPC QUARTER FINALS

GOMEX + 2 BUSTAMANTES ENTERS QUARTER FINALS

Francisco "Django" Bustamante and his nephew Joven "The Shark" Bustamante, and Roberto "Superman" Gomez all advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2007 World Pool Championship last night at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

In the round of 16, Django ousted compatriot Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, 11-2, while The Shark continued his giant-slaying ways by beating Satoshi Kawabata of Japan, 11-9, as Superman swept Neils Feijen of the Netherlands 11-0.

Today, Django will face the winner of the match between Daryl Peach of England and Harald Stoika of Finland.

"Malaki ang tsansa ko dahil ito lang naming kapatid ko, si Alex ang matinding kalaban," said Django. "Kahit sino na ang makalaban ko hindi na ako takot dahil wala na ang kinakatakutan ko."

Pagulayan, on the other hand, said he was not disappointed with his loss because he lost to the guy whom he predicted would win the championship this year.

The Shark, on the other hand, arranged a round of 8 showdown with Karl Boyes of England, who stunned Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 11-4, last night.

"Nakita ko na ang laro niya (Kawabata) kaya kinabahan ako," said Joven, who upset Dennis Orcullo last Wednesday and 2005 World Pool Champion Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan last Thursday.

Roberto Gomez overwhelmed Neils Feijen of The Netherlands 11-0, to land as the third Filipino in the Quarterfinals.

Report from Marlon Bernardino

JOVEN BUSTAMANTE IN SWEET 16

JOVEN CLAIMED ANOTHER HEAVYWEIGHT SCALP TO BOOK SWEET 16

FILIPINO Joven "The Shark" Bustamante claimed another heavyweight scalp this time against Satoshi Kawabata ng Japan, 11-9, to arrange a "Sweet 16" showdown with Karl Boyes of England who stunned Konstantin Stepanov of Russia, 11-4, last night in the ongoing 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships at the Big Dome.

The 28-year-old Joven, who upset 2005 World Pool Champion Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, last Thursday was cold in the opening match with Kawabata taking a 3-1 lead going to 5-3 advantage. Joven managed to tie the match at 5-all but Kawabata put a 7-5 lead before Joven tied the match again at 7-all.

"Nakita ko na ang laro niya eh. Magaling siyang player kaya dapat mag-ingat." Said Joven in the local media yesterday. "Sa practice ko ay ok naman. Kinabahan ako," said Joven who never looked back after a 9-7 lead.

Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto Fajardo lauded Joven, " Hope magtuloy-tuloy ang panalo niya (Joven)," said Fajardo. (MARLON BERNARDINO)

WPC ROUND OF 16

FOUR PINOYS ENTER ROUND OF 16, ARE SEEDED IN 2008 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

FOUR FILIPINO POOL sharks not only enjoying a guaranteed $4,500 each but already out right seed in the 2008 World Pool Championships for advancing in the round-of-16. This was bared yesterday Matchroom sports spokesman Luke Riches.

"Yes, the Four Filipino who makes it to the round-of-16 are already seeded in the main draw in the next edition of WPC," said Riches who also assured that the prestigious World 9-ball tourney will again be played in Philippines next year

According to the organizing committee, anyone player who advances in the round-of-16 is automatically seeded among the 128 player's field of the next year's WPC.

2004 WPC winner Alex Pagulayan, 2002 WPC runner-up Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball champion Roberto Gomez and 2007 Korea Pro Tour champion Joven Bustamante are the four Filipino players who made it to the "Sweet 16".

Meanwhile, the host country is already assured of at least a Pinoy in the quarter-final round today as Django and Alex were paired yesterday.

Django beat Nick Van de Berg of the Netherlands, 10-8, in the round-of-32 to arrange his round-of-16 showdown with Pagulayan, winner over Louis Condo of Australia, 10-2.

Joven on the other hand stunned 2005 WPC winner Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, 10-8, to post the biggest upset win in the round-of-32 while Gomez clobbred another WPC winner Chao-Fong pang of Taiwan, 10-2.

As of press time, Joven takes on 2006 Doha Asian games 8-ball gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan while Gomez goes up against Niels Feijen of the Netherlands.(MARLON BERNARDINO).

BATA REYES ELIMINATED IN WPC

AIMS TO BOUNCE BACK IN NEGROS INTERNATIONAL 9-BALL

EFREN "BATA" REYES, the 1999 World 9-Ball Champion promises to avenge his loss in the on-going 2007 World Pool Championships, in the forthcoming Negros Oriental International 9-Ball Championships on November 14-17 at the Dumaguete Convention Center in Dumaguete City.

Jointly organized by Negros Billiard Stable and Puyat Sports, the four day event offers a total pot prize of $61,400 with the champion taking away the whopping top prize money of $20,000 while the runner-up gets $10,000. The losing semi-finalist each received $5,000.

The 53-year-old Reyes, a Billiard Hall of famer succumbed to Russian Konstantin Stepanov,5-10 in the round-of-64 late Wednesday at the Big Dome.

"Hindi talaga ukol sa akin 'yung WPC crown, bawi na lamang tayo sa Dumaguete (Negros International 9-Ball Championships," said Reyes, who also expects to receive his full payment in the last year's International Pool Tour (IPT) World 8-Ball in Nevada which he won the top prize $500,000, the biggest pay check in professional billiard but only half of the prize he has received to date.

"Baka bago matapos ang taon ay makuha na natin (IPT total prize). Sana para maganda Pasko natin," he added.

Joining Reyes in the main draw were fellow seeded players Francisco" Django" Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Ronato Alcano, Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco, Lee Vann Corteza and Ramil Gallego of the Philippines, Wu Chia Ching and Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan, Johnny Archer and Corey Deuel of the United States, Kunihiko Takahashi and Satoshi Kawabata of Japan, Mika Immonen of Finland Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohman of Germany.

Veteran campaigner and Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) founding president Edgar "Malabon" Acaba Elvis Calasang, Elmer Haya, Leonardo Didal, Naoyuki Oi of Japan and Chung Chien-te of Taiwan also seeing in action in the tournament proper after winning the six slots in the qualifying round recently at the AMF Puyat Billiard Hall in Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City

Ish Caparras, Puyat Sports Events manager said the last qualifying event set on November 12-13 at the Dumaguete Convention Center which four slots up for grabs.

For inquiry, call or text NBS coach/manager Christopher Palses at mobile no. (0920) 397-4709 for complete details.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

WPC ROUND OF 32

DE LUNA, BUSTAMANTE ENTERS ROUND-OF-32

JEFFREY DE LUNA and Joven Bustamante hurdled their respective rivals to advance in the round-of-32 of the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships last night at the Big Dome.

De Luna upset Lee Vann Corteza, 10-7, while Bustamante shocked another tournament favorite Dennis Orcollo, 10-16, in the round-of-64 knock-out match last night to progress to the next round.

Lee Kung Fang of Taiwan, Ralf Souquet of Germany, Luis Condo of Austria, Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, Luong Chi Dung of Vietnam also advance in the round-of-32.

Lee nipped Raj Hundal of England, 10-6, Souqet beat Naoyuki Oi of Japan, 10-8, Condo smashed Chan KK of Taiwan, 10-2, Feijen outplayed Charlie Williams of the USA, 10-7, and Luong crushed Earl Strickland of the USA, 10-8.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

WPC UPDATE, ROUND OF 64

DE LUNA VS. CORTEZA IN KNOCK OUT STAGE

JEFFREY "The Bull" De Luna and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza will knock-out each other to determine who will enter in the round-of-32 in the ongoing 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships at the Big Dome today (Wednesday).

De Luna, 23, is fresh from winning the 1st Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Championships while Corteza, is the current National Open Championship winner.

"Kung sino ang b'wenas sa break at manalo ng opening lag siya marahil ang mananalo sa aming laban," said the 28-year-old Corteza, playing under the banner of Negros Billiard Stable who lost to Serbia 's Goran Mladenovic, 7-9, but beat Taiwanese Pei Wei Chang, 9-4, and US bet Jeremy Jones, 9-4, last Sunday, in succession. Corteza, beat Wu Chia-ching, the 2005 WPC winner in their $3,000 money game match last Sunday at the One Side Billiard Hall in Malate, Manila.

De Luna, on the other hand, beat Sander Tot of Serbia, 9-5, and Taiwan's Fu Che-Wei, 9-3, late Monday to progress.

"Bibigyan natin ng magandang laban si Van-Van (Corteza), tiyak yan," said De Luna, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist.

NBS coach/ manager Christopher Palses said "Balikatan, s'yempre kasi hindi na basta-basta si Jeff (De Luna), may malaking title na yan eh," " Suwertehan na lang sa break,"added Palses, a certified class O player, a habitué of Celebrity Bar and Grill Billiard Hall in Bacolod City.

Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto Fajardo said "Simula bukas (ngayon) talaga natin makikita ang tunay na aksiyon, talagang hindi maiiwasan na hindi magkakaharap ang mga player natin. Pero ang mahalaga ay Filipino pa din ang mananalo,"

Francisco "Django" Bustamante, the 2002 WPC runner-up, who is eyeing the top prize of $100,000 plus the prestigious crown takes on David Alcaide of Spain in the last 64 while Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, the 2004 WPC winner face Pham Tuan Ngoc of Vietnam.

"Hindi basta-basta si Alcaide, beterano na yan eh," said the 43-year-old Bustamante, pride of Puyat Sports.

Bosom buddy Efren "Bata" Reyes, the 1999 WPC winner takes on Group 11 winner.

However, if Reyes, acknowledge "The Magician" in world of pool, if he wins his round-of-64 match, he will face the survivor of De Luna and Corteza match.

"Kahit sino, ready naman tayo," said Reyes, a hall of famer in billiard.

Joven "The Shark" Bustamante, the 2007 Korea Pro Tour Champion, takes on 3rd placer in Group 13.

Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego goes up against Kuo Po-Cheng of Taiwan, a former World Pool runner-up while defending champion Ronato Alcano, who is aiming to retain his title takes on 4th placer in Group 16.

Leonardo "Dodong Dadiangas" Andam, who edged Raj Hundal of England, 9-8, late Monday will test the mettle of Group 15 3rd placer, while Antonio Gabica slug it out with winner of Group 13.

Marlon Manalo, 2005 WPC 3rd placer, who beat Li He-wen of China, 9-7, late Monday, the 2006 WPC semi-finalist will meet Radoslaw Babica of Poland.

Former World Champions Ralf Souquet of Germany and Earl Strickland of United States hurdle their do-or-die match late Monday to progress. So far, only Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, also a former World Champion failed to progress.

Mika Immonen of Finland, Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan and Oliver Ortmann of Germany, former world champions also advance in the last 64.

Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez and Rodolfo Luat, meanwhile playing their opening games yesterday.

The Philippines has the most number of entries with 15 followed by the United States has 11 entries. Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, is only the Filipino casualty after day 3.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

WPC NEWS DAY - 3

ANDAM, MANALO, DE LUNA WINS 1ST MATCH

LEONARDO ANDAM waited a year to avenge his loss in the last year's edition of the Philippine World Pool Championships. The veteran cue artist remembered too well the loss he suffered to German Ralf Souquet in the preliminary of last year's World Pool Championship in a 4-8 rack score.

"Isang taon ang hinintay ko para makabawi ako ngayon," said Andam, fondly called "The Rattle Snake" or "Dodong Dadiangas" in the pool world in the biggest stage of pool televised worldwide over ESPN.

It was worth the wait.

Andam, showing the form that won him four gold medals in the 1991 Southeast Asian Games, jumped the gun on the unsuspecting Souquet and held on to a 9-5 victory.

"Bihira na akong lumaro sa malalaking kumpetisyon ngayon kaya natatandaan ko talaga kung sino ang mga nakakalaban ko," said Andam, one of two Filipinos to come out of the qualifying round.

He could clinch a spot in the next round with a victory over Raj Hundal of England. Hundal downed Bernard Tey Choon Kiat of Singapore, 9-4.

Marlon Manalo also inched closer to the next round with a come-from-behind 9-7 win over Serbian D Dabovic.

Dabovic got off to a quick start and had Manalo on the ropes in the early goings. He raced to a 3-0 lead and maintained it until Manalo clustered four racks to reach the hill with 8-6 advantage.

The chubby former snooker player from Mandaluyong City had a chance to close the match on the 15th frame, but the pink four refused to sink after hitting the cue ball too hard.

Manalo finally clinched it after a scratch on the break by Dabovic. His victory set up a duel with China's Li He-wen, a 9-4 winner over Iran's Farhad Shaverdi.

Jeffrey de Luna, fresh from winning the 1st Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Open trounced Sandot Tot of Serbia and Montenegro, 9-5, to arrange a second match encounter against Fu Che-wei of Taiwan, winner over Vittorio de Falco of Italy, 9-8.

Thorsten Hohmann, the 2003 champion, bowed to teen-ager Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan, 3-9. Ko's sensational victory set him up for a duel with Serge Das of Belgium, who pulled off a similar 9-3 win over Edwin Montal, a Filipino representing Canada.

Royalty also fell as Thomas Engert of Germany trounced Prince M. Billah of Brunei, 9-2. Engert will next face Roman Hybler of the Czech Republic, 9-7 winner over Lee Chenman of Hong Kong.

Temperemantal but cool last nigh Earl "The Pearl" Strickland, five-time world champion suffered an upset loss to unheralded Alan Tan of Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez and Rodolfo Luat will open their campaign today. Eight Filipinos already advance in the last 64 after day 2 that includes defending champion Ronnie Alcano, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Ramil Gallego, Joven Bustamante, Lee Vann Corteza, and Antonio Gabica.

Antonio "Nickoy" Lining is the earlier casualty of the 15 Pinoy gladiators.

Other player also advance in the next phase were Asian 9-ball tour over-all champion Chang Jun-lin, Lu Hui-chan, 2005 World 9-ball champion Wu Chia-ching and two-time Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei,, ex-World 9-ball champion Oliver Ortmann and Harald Stolka of Germany, Alex Lely and Nick van den Berg of Holland, Luong Chi Dung and Pham Tuan Ngoc of Vietnam, Corey Deuel and Charlie Williams of the USA, Alain Martel of Canada, Philipp Stojanovic of Croatia,,Karl Boyes of England, ex-world 9-ball kingpin Mika Immonen of Finland, Vilmos Foldes of Hungrary, Muhammad Zulfikri of Indonesia,Kenichi Uchigaki of Japan, Tony Drago of Malta,Radoslaw Babica of Poland,Goran Mladenovic of Serbia and Montenegro,Chan Keng Kwang of Singapore and David Alcaide of Spain.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO).

WPC NEWS DAY - 2

DJANGO, ALEX, BEBENG ADVANCE INTO LAST 64

FRANCISCO "DJANGO" BUSTAMANTE, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego posted back to back contrasting victories yesterday to advance into last 64 of the Philippine World Pool Championship at the Big Dome.

The power-breaking Bustamante from Tarlac City beat South African Zbynek Vaic, 9-4, and Korean Jeong Young-hwa, 9-0, to be assured of $2,000 in the knock-out round of 64.

"Gusto ko talaga ang winner's break format. Kahit makalamang kalaban mo may pagkakataon ka pang makahabol at manalo. Y'ung alternate break para nakakalamig eh," said the 43-year-old Bustamante who emerge over-all champion in the 2007 UPA Pro Tour this year in Los Angeles, California to book his seat in the main draw which offers $100,000 to the champion.

It showed in the stats. Bustamante, the 2002 World Pool runner-up piled up seven run outs and only let Jeong back in the table once during his juggernaut.

The former world No. 1 made it past the group play for the ninth straight year in the tournament organized by Matchroom and Raya Sports and televised worldwide over ESPN.

The 29-year-old Fil-Canadian Pagulayan, the 2004 WPC champion, also made his presence felt early with a 9-0 win over Hamsa Mohammaed of Eritrea, a little known country in Europe. He clinched a spot in the knockout phase with a 9-6 win over Martin Kempter of Austria .

"Marami pang magsalita pero maglalaro lang ako," said Pagulayan, who topped the Japan 9-Ball Open, Cebu 9-Ball Open this year.

Gallego, took the measure of Chan Ken Kwang of Singapore, 9-4, and reigning Guinness Asian 9-ball tour over-all winner Chang Jung-ling of Taiwan, 9-1.

However, there were also setbacks for Filipinos.

Lee Vann Corteza, current National Open champion suffered a shocking 7-9 defeat to Serbia 's Goran Mladenovic. The top player of the Negros Billiards stable had a chance to reach the hill first but missed an easy shot on the green six, leaving an open table and giving his opponent an 8-7 lead.

He sealed his doom on the following frame with a scratch after pocketing the sixth ball. Antonio "Nickoy" Lining also bowed to Jeong in a 8-9 decision. Lining, from Pinamalayan, Oriental, Mindoro led 7-1 to 8-3 before Jeong clustered six straight racks. Lining curve a 9-1 demolition win against Vaic but succumbed to ex-US Open winner Corey "The Prince" Duel, 9-7, in their do or die match last night.

Meanwhile, former World 9-ball champion Oliver "The Machine" Ortmann of Germany beat Duel, 9-6, to progress. Mika "The Iceman" Immonen of Finland also advance into last 64 after beating Jeremy Jones of the United States, 9-7.

Corteza, on the other hand beat Taiwanese Pei Wei Chang, 9-4, to arrange a do or die match with Jones last night.

Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold winner capped a perfect day for Filipinos on the opening day after trouncing Malaysian Ibrahim Bin Amir, 9-6, in a knockout match. All four Filipinos who saw action Saturday advanced to the next round that include Efren "Bata" Reyes (1999), Ronato "Volcano" Alcano (2006) and Joven "The Shark" Bustamante.

Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo, Jefrrey "The Bull" de Luna, and Leonardo "Dodong Dadiangas" Andam are schedule to play today, Monday in their group matches.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)