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)