Monday, December 31, 2007

NEW YEARS WISHES

Friends,

Thanks for supporting this blog.

As 2007 comes to its end, and a new year unfolds, let us write our hurts on sand where winds of forgiveness can blow them away. And let us carve our blessings on stone so no storm can ever wash them away.

Let us thank God for all that has been.... And all that will be!

Here's wishing you and your loved ones continued blessings of good health, security, serenity, much love, laughter, and prosperity throughout 2008!

All the best,

Jovie Sison

Sunday, December 30, 2007

BILLIARDS YEARENDER 2007

BILLIARDS FAILS TO TAKE THE CUE

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine billiards should have taken its cue from a fruitful 2006. Instead, the year 2007 became the calendar equivalent of scratches and dry breaks.

Ironically, the year got off on the right foot for the country's pool sharks with Efren "Bata" Reyes leading a 1-2-3 finish for the Philippines in the Derby City Classic Master of the Table Bonus last January in Louisville, Kentucky.

Compatriots Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat and Francisco "Django" Bustamante completed the Filipino trinity.

But everything seemed to spiral downward from thereon.

From the nation-hopping Asian Tour series to the prestigious World Pool Championship, Philippine bets struggled mightily against a foreign field that used to be cowed by their presence alone.

Ronnie Alcano gave the Philippines its brightest spot, winning the World 8-ball title in March, allowing him to hold at the same time world titles in both 8- and 9-ball events.

It was actually the second 8-ball crown for the 34-year-old lanky cue artist from Laguna.

Reyes, considered by many as the greatest pool player of all time, was the first Filipino to hold the world 8-ball title and the world 9-ball crown at the same time.

Alcano, who battled charges of child abuse in the middle of the year, also won the 8-ball event in the 24th Southeast Asian Games.

Rubilen Amit also made her mark in the international scene, finishing second in the Women's World 9-Ball Championship in Tao Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan. She lost to Xiao-Ting Pan of China in the finals to settle for the $10,000 runner-up prize.

Still, Amit created the biggest stir in the tournament when she claimed the scalp of five-time champion Allison Fisher and two-time winner Ga-Young Kim of South Korea in the early rounds.

Despite the success of Alcano and Amit, billiards fans had their eyes on the Asian Tour and the World Pool Championship that the country was going to host.

Wiped out

As it turned out, there was little to look forward to.

After sweeping the tour last year, the Filipinos failed to win a single leg this time.

The country sent its best players in the nation-hopping tour although Reyes, a multiple leg and three-time overall tour champion, didn't join along with Bustamante because of sponsorship clashes.

The two are endorsers of the San Miguel Corp., a rival company of Guinness -- the tour's title sponsor this year.

Lee Vann Corteza bowed to Chang Jung-ling, 5-11, in the opening leg at the Sultan Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.

They met again in the tour's grand final at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bali, Indonesia with Jung reasserting his supremacy over Corteza, 11-8.

In between the Indonesia stops, the Filipinos failed to even reach the finals of the tour they dominated in the first four years.

"I don't know what hit us in the tour," said BSCP president Ernesto "Ernie" Fajardo. "I guess the law of averages caught up with us."

In the WPC, the talented Filipino pool players had no problem reaching the hill in major tournaments all season.

But they somehow found it hard to go over it.

Superman

A new name rose in the WPC when Roberto Gomez, nicknamed Superman, eliminated one favored foreign foe after another to reach the finals of the tournament and hoist the Filipino hopes of a victory on home soil.

In his path stood Englishman Daryl Peach.

If ever there was any omen pointing to a disastrous finish, it was one seemingly trivial fact: Peach is a dead ringer for Superman arch nemesis Lex Luthor.

Gomez lost a nervy final, 17-15, one where it became apparent that the winner would be the competitor with the least mistakes.

"The nerves got the better of me," admitted Gomez. "I felt bad because I know that I let my countrymen down. But I'll make sure to make up for it in future events."

Perhaps the person who mirrored RP billiards' failures the most was the legendary Reyes.

The long-time icon of the sport everywhere in the world failed to make a dent after a strong run last year.

He was on fire last year, winning two legs and the overall championship in the Asian Tour, and claiming the title and the $500,000 top prize in the International Pool Tour.

He also combined with Bustamante to top the inaugural World Cup of Pool.

But nagging pains on his fingers and occasional shaking of hands proved too much to handle for the game's living legend.

He crashed out in the first round of the knockout phase in the WPC. He and Bustamante also bowed to eventual winners Li He-wen and Fu Jian-bo of China in the quarterfinals of the World Cup of Pool.

Billiards officials can only hope that next year will be a rosier one for the sport.

Marlon Bernardino, contributor

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

PHILIPPINE BILLIARDS YEARENDER 2007

PHILIPPINES BILLIARDS FELL SHORT IN BIG TOURNAMENTS

PHILIPPINE Billiards enjoyed its finest year in 2006, unfortunately, not this year, after Filipino pool sharks failed to win in major events including the most prestigious 9-ball tournament, the World Pool Championships, the US Open 9-Ball, the longest running 9-Ball competition in the United States, and Guinness Asian 9-Ball Tour, formerly SMB Asian 9-Ball Tour despite a magnificent performance of Hall of Famer Efren "Bata" Reyes.

Nice start in January 2007

The 53-year-old Reyes, of Puyat Sports, was $20,000 richer by winning the Derby City Classic Master of the Table Bonus last January 3 to 7 at the Executive West Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, the hometowns of former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali. Compatriots Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat and Francisco "Django" Bustamante completed the Filipinos 1-2-3 finish.

The charismatic cue artist from Angeles City, Pampanga bagged also his fourth straight Derby City Classic one-pocket billiards title at the expense of American Cliff Joyner.

In February 2007, neophyte Roberto Gomez and Jharome Peña failed to advance in the money round of 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 8-Ball Championships in Oslo, Norway but bounced back by occupying the top two spots in the 9-ball competition.

In March 2007, Ronato Alcano followed the foot steps of Reyes and Taiwanese Wu Chia-chiang, to become a title-holder in both the WPA 9-Ball and WPA 8-Ball competitions.

The 34-year-old lanky cue artists Alcano from Calamba City, Laguna grabbed his second straight world title in the World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates at the expense of compatriot Dennis Orcollo.

It was the second straight all-Filipino finale in the biggest 8-ball competition in the world. Reyes toppled Marlon Manalo in the 2004 edition.

Joven Bustamante, a former teaching pro in the Middle East, introduced himself on the big stage with an impressive third place finish in the event that ran from March 1-8.

Alcano's victory made him only the third player in history to win a world title in 8-ball and 9-ball.

Efren "Bata" Reyes, considered by many as the greatest pool player of all time, was the first, winning the world 8-ball title four times and the world 9-ball title once.

Wu pulled off the trick by topping the 2005 WPC and the World 8-Ball the following year.

Before the World 8-Ball, Alcano settled for second place with eventual winner Mika Immonen of Finland in the Korea Pro Pool Tour Championships last February 10-13 at the Lotte Department Store in Incheon, Korea to pocket the runner-up prize of $4,000.

Alcano failed to sustain his winning form due to child abuse controversy?

Alcano failed to sustain his winning form in the local scene after a magnificent performance in the World 8-Ball did find himself on the papers, on the front page no less, during the opening round of the 2nd BSCP National Open. But the story was about the rape and child abuse charges filed against him by his 14-year-old daughter. The news rocked Alcano and Philippine Billiards.

Lee Vann Corteza, the top player of the rising Negros Billiards Stable honcho Jonathan Sy, topped the 2nd BSCP National Open after edging Marlon Manalo in the finals.

Irish Rañola and Mary Ann Basas stole the limelight from top player Rubilen Amit on the distaff side. Rañola, the more seasoned of the two, raced to a big lead early and held on to win the crown.

Amit rebounded strongly in the Women's World 9-Ball Championship in Tao Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan.

The 25-year-old dead-ringer of actress/singer Aiza Seguerra finished second in the toughest tournament for lady cue artists while beating two former world champions along the way.

She lost to Xiao-Ting Pan of China in the finals to settle for the $10,000 runner-up prize.

But Amit created the biggest wave in the event as she claimed the heads of five-time champion Allison Fisher and two-time winner Ga-Young Kim of South Korea in the early rounds.

The country's top female player eliminated Fisher in the group play with a 5-3 win and ousted Kim, 7-2, in the quarterfinals.

Former World No.1 Bustamante earned an ourtight WPC ticket

Another Puyat Sports top player Francisco "Django" Bustamante bested American Johnny Archer in the finals of UPA US Pro Tour Championships last March 27 to April 1at the Normandie Casino in Los Angeles, California to earned him an outright ticket to the World Pool Championships (WPC) plus the top prize of $10,000.

Bustamante claimed another championship trophy in the one pocket competition of Hard Times Summer Jamboree in Sacramento , California. Bustamante completed an undefeated week in the middle of June by ruling the Hard Times 9-Ball Summer Jamboree.

Big Letdown

After sweeping the Asian 9-Ball Tour last year, the Filipinos failed to win a single leg this time.

The shutout was inexplicable.

The country sent its best players in the nation-hopping tour although Reyes, a multiple leg and three-time overall tour champion, didn't join along with Bustamante.

The two were commercial models of the San Miguel Corporation, a rival company of Guinness – the tour's title sponsor this year.

Corteza, the national champ, bowed to Chang Jung-ling, 5-11, in the opening leg at the Sultan Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia .

They met again in the tour's grand final at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bali, Indonesia with Jung reasserting his supremacy over Corteza, 11-8.

In between the Indonesia stops, the Filipinos failed to even reach the finals of the tour they dominated in the first four years.

"I don't know what hit us in the tour," said BSCP president Ernesto "Ernie" Fajardo. "I guess the law of averages caught up with us."

The Filipinos' inability to finish strong was amplified in the succeeding major tournaments namely the US Open and the mother of all tournaments – the World Pool Championship.

The single biggest disappointment among the local players this season was Reyes himself. The most popular cue artist in the world went on a year-long dry spell in major tournaments.

He was on fire last year, winning two legs and the overall championship in the Asian Tour, and claiming the title and the $500,000 top prize in the International Pool Tour.

He also combined with Bustamante to top the inaugural World Cup of Pool Scotch Doubles Championship.

But nagging pains on his fingers, stiffening neck and occasional shaking of hands proved too much to handle for the game's living legend.

He's winless in 9-ball and 8-ball events and crashed out in the first round of the knockout phase in the WPC. He and Bustamante also bowed to eventual winners Li He-wen and Fu Jian-bo of China in the quarterfinals of the World Cup of Pool.

Reyes capped his uneventful season with a loss to Wu in the quarterfinals of the 2007 All Japan Championship. Wu proceeded to win the title.

So Close yet so far

The talented Filipino pool players had no problem reaching the hill in major tournaments all season. But they somehow found it hard to go over it.

Aside from the near misses in the Asian 9-Ball Tour and the WPC, a Filipino also flirted with the championship and a historic feat in the US Open.

Alcano got a rare chance of completing a hat-trick in pool – winning three major titles in a row – when he reached the finals of the US Open against American Shane Van Boening.

But steady play from the deaf cue artist and – reports said – suspicious racking by the hometown referee cost the Filipino an exclusive place in pool history.

SUPERMAN ON THE RISE

After a dominant showing in the group play, the Filipinos struggled in the first round of the knockout phase.

The Philippines sent 13 players in the main draw, the most by any country in the competition.

But eight, mostly the superstars, crashed out early in the Round of 64.

In the end, unheralded Roberto Gomez was left to carry the fight for the Filipinos. He fell short, just like his compatriots in big tournaments late in the season.

On the flipside, the rise of young guns like Gomez gives the country something to look forward to in the sport where we are expected to dominate.

Gomez, 29, became the first ever player out of the qualifying stage to reach the finals of the biggest pool event in the world.

The former ABS-CBN provincial correspondent, nicknamed Filipino Superman by the local media because of his looks and built, was flawless in the preliminary and the first five rounds of the knockout stage.

He opened his campaign in the knockout with a 10-1 win over veteran internationalist Alex Lely of the Netherlands.

"After beating Lely I felt lighter and more confident," said Gomez. "No matter what happens I know that I'll have a better finish than last year."

Seeded first heading into the knockout stage, Gomez bowed to Alcano in the Round of 64 last year.

With the proverbial monkey off his back, Gomez cruised through the succeeding rounds.

He manhandled two-time world champion Chao Fong-pang of Taiwan, 10-2, and Europe's top rated player Niels Feijen, 11-0, in the next two rounds.

In the quarterfinals, Gomez raced to a 6-0 lead and held off the late charge of former WPC finalist Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan, 11-4.

He got off on a wrong foot in the semifinals, falling 0-4 against England's No. 1 player Karl Boyes, but the end result was the same, an 11-4 triumph.

The finals followed an entirely different storyline.

The pitiful sight of Gomez, teary eyed after squandering a 15-12 lead, had been played and replayed all over the world.

The Filipino Superman fell to a spitting image of Lex Luthor, a skinhead from England named Daryl Peach.

"The nerves got the better of me," admitted Gomez. "I felt bad because I know that I let my countrymen down. But I'll make sure to make up for it in future events."

Still, his achievement didn't go unnoticed. "For me Gomez is the best player in the WPC," said Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) chairman Yen Makabenta. "He just picked the wrong time to lose."

RP CUE BOUNCED BACK AFTER WPC TILT

The Filipino pool cue bounced back after failing to retain the WPC crown, The Philippine team represented by Marlon Manalo, Gandy Valle, Ronato Alcano, Antonio Gabica and Jeffrey de Luna defetead Rest of the World which are composed of Rodney Morris, Marcus Chamat, Karl Boyles, Darren Appleton and John Higgins in the SMC Kabayan World Tour in Calapan City, Mindoro last Nov.12-13. Then Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan took the Negros Oriental International Open crown beating compatriot Ramil Gallego in the all- Filipino finals last Nov.14-17 in Dumaguete City.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES

The Filipino pool players finished with three (3) golds, two (2) silvers and four (4) bronzes in the just concluded 24th Southeast Asian Games at the Sima Thani Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The gold medals in billiards came from Gabica and Marlon Manalo in the Men's 9-Ball Pool Doubles, Ronato Alcano in the Men's 8-Ball Pool Singles and Rubilen Amit in the Women's 9-Ball Pool Singles.

Lee Vann Corteza and Mary-Ann Basas, both from Davao City failed to deliver more golds in billiards after losing their respective assigments in the championships round.The 28-year-old Corteza, prize fighter of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) bowed to Indonesian Ricky Yang, 11-8, in the 9-ball pool finals while Basas yielded to Santhinee Jaisuekul of Thailand, 4-3, in the finals of Women's 6 Snooker Singles. The other bronzes came in the Men's Snooker Doubles and in the Women's 8-Ball Pool Singles.

Gold: Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica (Men's 9-Ball Pool Doubles)
Gold: Ronato Alcano (Men's 8-Ball Pool Singles)
Gold: Rubilen Amit (Women's 9-Ball Pool Singles)
Silver: Lee Vann Corteza (Men's 9-Ball Pool Singles)
Silver: Mary-Ann Basas (Women's 6 Snooker Singles)
Bronze: Antonio Gabica (Men's 9-ball Pool Singles)
Bronze: Iris Ranola (Women's 6 Snooker Singles)
Bronze: Benjie Guevarra and James Al Ortega (Men's Snooker Doubles)
Bronze: Rubilen Amit (Women's 8-Ball Pool Singles)

The Philippines, indeed, is a force to reckon with in the world of pool this year. And, by the looks of it, things are not about to change in 2008.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Saturday, December 15, 2007

FILIPINO WINS VIKING 9-BALL TOUR

SANTOS SAMBAJON WINS VIKING CUE 9-BALL TOUR

FILIPINO SANTOS "THE SAINT" SAMBAJON added feather in his cap by winning the just concluded 2007 Viking Cue 9-Ball Tour stop at the Chris's Cue Phoria Billiards in River Grove, Illinois.

The native of Macalelon, Quezon province demolished Noy Vichiensaen, 9-3, in the finals to bag the Open division title plus the top purse of $1,375. Vichiensaen settled for runner-up place to receive $750.

The undefeated Sambajon earlier beat Nicole Hernandez 9-2; Joe Kendrigan 9-5; Sergio Perez 9-5; Tom Spencer 9-5; and Vichiensaen to win the hot seat.Vichiensaen toppled Perez, 7-3, in the one-loss side to arrange a rematch win Sambajon.

Meanwhile, Ponc Cruz trounced Tommy Hernandez, 7-6, in the finals to emerge champion in the Amateur section. He pocketed $640 for his effort.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Friday, December 14, 2007

SEA GAMES POOL RESULTS

CORTEZA, BASAS SETTLES FOR SILVER IN THEIR EVENTS

Gold: Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica (Men's 9-Ball Pool Doubles)

Gold: Ronato Alcano (Men's 8-Ball Pool Singles)

Gold: Rubilen Amit (Women's 9-Ball Pool Singles)

Silver: Lee Vann Corteza (Men's 9-Ball Pool Singles)

Silver: Mary-Ann Basas (Women's 6 Snooker Singles)

Bronze: Antonio Gabica (Men's 9-ball Pool Singles)

Bronze: Iris Ranola (Women's 6 Snooker Singles)

Bronze: Benjie Guevarra and James Al Ortega (Men's Snooker Doubles)

Bronze: Rubilen Amit (Women's 8-Ball Pool Singles)


THIS time two Filipinos---Lee Vann Corteza and Mary-Ann Basas failed to delivered another gold for the country in the ongoing 24th Southeast Asian Games in Sima Thani Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Friday.

Corteza, bowed to Indonesian Ricky Yang, 11-8, in the 9-ball pool finals and failed to duplicates Alex Pagulayan's feat in the 2005 Manila SEAG edition.

Compatriot Antonio Gabica, who lost to Yang, 11-7, in the semi-final round took the bronze medal after beating Chan Kwen Kang of Singapore, 11-7, in the battle for third.

Basas, on the other hand yielded to Santhinee Jaisuekul of Thailand, 4-3, in the finals of Women's 6 Snooker Singles. Another Filipino entry Iris Ranola settled for third place for the bronze medal by beating Ekmongkhon Nicha Pathom of Thailand, 4-3.

Jaisuekul earlier beat Ranola, 4-0, to arrange a titular showdown with Basas, who also post a similar 4-0 victory over Pathom.

The Filipinos finished with a total of 3 golds, 2 silvers and 4 bronze medals.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

ALCANO WINS 8-BALL GOLD IN SEAG

WORLD CHAMP ALCANO WINS 8-BALL POOL GOLD IN THAI SEAG

DESPITE intestinal problems caused by suspected food poisoning, former world pool champion Ronato Alcano recovered from Wednesday to win the Men's 8-ball gold medal by beating Singapore's Tey Choon Kiat, 9-6, in the finals of 24th Southeast Asian Games at the Sima Thani Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

"May nakain na hindi daw maganda si Ronnie (Alcano) kasi sa tingin nila na food poisoning," said journalist Noli Cruz of Mansalay, Mindoro, who is the publicist of Bugsy Promotion.

Alcano complained early Tuesday of loose bowel movement after taking a late dinner and was lucky to get through the final. "Akala ko di na ako makakapaglaro dahil suka ako ng suka," he added earlier.

Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto Fajardo lauded Alcano's for his determination to bring honor to the country.

"Y'ung pag-uugali ni Ronnie (Alcano) na magbigay ng karangalan sa bansa bagama't may dinaramdam na sakit ay nagpapatunay na likas na pag-uugali ng isang Filipino atleta. Anuman pagsubok o balakid sa buhay ang mahalaga ay magbigay ng karangalan sa bayan. Walang makakapigil," said Fajardo.

Although Alcano suspected a possible foul play, Dr. Marion Rivera, who treated the
pool virtuoso, dismissed such thought.

"It's unlikely that food poisoning downed Alcano because no one else got it," Dr.
Rivera said. "It's just a simple case of acute LBM."

Alcano's win brought to three the number of gold medals won by the country following the triumphs of Rubilen Amit in the women's 9-ball and Antonio Gabica and Marlon Manalo in the men's 9-ball doubles.




Alcano, earlier beat Tepwin Arrunath of Thailand (Pre Quarter-Final), 9-2, Toh Liah Han of Singapore, 9-8, (Quarter-Final) before trouncing Ibrahim Bin Amir, 9-7, (Semi Finals) and Kiat, 9-6, in the finals.

Gabica and Lee Van Corteza returned to the pool table Wednesday evening for the start of the 9-ball singles.

Iris Ranola, on the other hand, was locked in a quarterfinal match with Wong Poi Sei of Singapore in the women's 6-red snooker singles.

The Filipinos dominated the billiards competition two years ago in Manila, taking eight gold medals. Five of those events, however, were scrapped this year, including the 15-ball rotation and the 8-ball doubles.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

BILLIARDS AT SEAG

WORLD CHAMP ALCANO ENTERS FINALS OF 8-BALL IN THAI SEAG

DESPITE intestinal problems caused by suspected food poisoning, former world pool champion Ronato Alcano advanced to the final round in the ongoing 24th Southeast Asian Games Men's 8-Ball Pool competition by crushing Ibrahim Bin Amir of Malaysia, 9-7, in the semi-final round late Tuesday at the Sima Thani Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The 34-year-old lanky cue artists from Calamba, Laguna schedule to arrange a titular showdown with Tey Choon Kiat of Singapore on Wednesday, who blasted Dachawat Poomjang of Thailand, 9-6, in another final-four matches late Tuesday.

"May nakain na hindi daw maganda si Ronnie (Alcano) kasi sa tingin nila na food poisoning," said journalist Noli Cruz of Mansalay, Mindoro.

Alcano, who beat Ralf Souquet of Germany in the finals of 2006 Philippine World Pool Champion earlier beat Tepwin Arrunath of Thailand (Pre Quarter-Final), 9-2, Toh Liah Han of Singapore, 9-8, (Quarter-Final) before trouncing Ibrahim Bin Amir, 9-7, (Semi Finals).

Ibrahim Bin Amir, a native of Mindanao but representing Malaysia will face host bet Dachawat Poomjang in the battle for third for the bronze medal.

In the Men's English Billiards Double, Philippines will face Vietnam in the Quarter-Final round.

In the distaff side, Iris Rañola and Mary-Ann Basas will be seeing in action in the Women's 6 Red Snooker Singles. Rañola will test the mettle of Sei Poi Wong of Malaysia while Basas opposite Huey Chai Zeet of Singapore.

Rubilen Amit, the 2007 Amway Women's World Pool runner-up settled for the bronze medal in the Women's 8-Ball Pool Singles competition.

It shall be recalled that the tandem of Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica won the country's first gold medal for the RP billiards and snooker team in the Men's 9-Ball Pool Doubles. Amit, on the other hand nailed the country's second gold in the Women's 9-Ball Pool Singles competition.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Sunday, December 9, 2007

SEAG POOL UPDATE

MARLON MANALO EYES 2ND GOLD IN THAI SEAG TODAY

FRESH from winning the country's first gold for the RP Billiards and Snooker team, Marlon Manalo, looking to continue his impressive performance when the Men's 6 Singles Snooker event gets going today, Monday at the Sima Thani Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The 31-year-old Mandaluyong ace will face Yong Kein Foot of Malaysia in the Pre Quarter-final Men's 6 snooker single events. Another Filipino entry Rodolfo Lordan Jr. will test the mettle of Un Nooh Thepchaiya of Thailand.

Late Saturday, Manalo teamed up with 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica to beat the Singaporean pair Khen Kwang Chan and Lian Han Toh, 11-6, in the finals of 9-ball pool doubles event.

"We (Gabica) are glad and thankful that we able to contribute a gold and give glory to our country," said Manalo dubbed as Marvelous in the pool world in a text message yesterday morning to this writer. He also acknowledged the support of Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos.

Malaysia led by Fil-Malaysian Ibrahim Bin Amir took the bronze medal by crushing Vietnam, 11-6.

In the Semi-final round Philippines routed Malaysia, 11-6, to arrange a titular showdown with Singapore who upset Vietnam, 11-7. Philippines earlier beat Laos, 11-7, in the quarter-final round.

In the Finals, the Singaporean had a rousing start after winning two of the first three racks but committed a foul in the fifth frame allowing the Filipinos to brake away from a 2-2 tie.

In the Men's 8-ball pool competition, 2006 World Pool Champion Ronato Alcano opened his campaign against Tepwin Arrunath of Thailand in the pre-quarters while Dennis Orcollo failed to make the trip because of a viral infection contacted a couple of weeks before the Games back. Orcollo was the original tandem of Gabica in the 9-ball pool doubles.

In the Men's English Single Billiards, Benjie Guevarra played with Nay Thwaoo Nay of Myanmar while Reynaldo Grandea takes on Suriya Minalavong of Laos, both pre-quarters match today.

In the distaff side, Rubilen Amit and Mary Ann Basas will also see action in the women's 8-ball pool competition. The 24-year-old Amit won the 8-ball pool in the 2005 Manila SEAG edition.

Amit, the reigning Amway World Women' runner-up will face the winner of the match between Poppy Puspita Neviyanti of Thailand and Thi Ngoc Huyen Huyhn of Vietnam in the quarter-final round after getting a bye. Basas, who hails from Davao City takes on Molrudee Vujanic of Thailand.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Thursday, December 6, 2007

SOUTH EAST ASIAN GAMES POOL

SANS PAGULAYAN, RP POOL READY TO DEFEND SEAG TITLE TODAY

DESPITE the absence of Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, the RP billiards billiards and snooker teams are ready to defend their over-all title when the 24th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gets underway today at the Sima Thani Hotel Grand Ballroom in Nakhonratchasima, Thailand.

"We are very confident that our Filipino pool and snooker athletes will perform well in the biennial meet," said Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernie Fajardo in an interview yesterday.

Pagulayan, the 2005 Manila SEAG billiard and snooker most bemedalled athlete will miss this edition due to various reasons.

The Philippines won a total of eight gold medals, two silvers and one bronze in the 23rd SEA Games it hosted in 2005.

"Y'un nga lang nagbawas ng event ang Thailand ngayon lalong-lalu na sa pool event." Added Fajardo, where the men's one-cushion carom singles, men's 9-Ball pool doubles, men's snooker team and women's 9-ball pool singles starts today.

Former world champion Ronato Alcano, Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica, national champion Lee Vann Corteza, Marlon Manalo, Dennis Orcollo, Reynaldo Grandea, Benjamin Guevarra Jr., James Al Ortega, and Emilio Villariza will carry the country in the men's side.

While reigning Amway Women's World Champion Rubilen Amit, Iris Ranola and Mary Ann Basas will also seeing in action in the women's events.

The RP billiards and snooker teams are under the watchful eye of coached Ricardo Ancaja and Edgard Asonto.

Other events include men's snooker doubles, men's English Billiards singles and doubles, men's 8-Ball Pool singles, women's 8-Ball pool single and men's 6-Red snooker singles, among others.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO

Monday, December 3, 2007

TOP MONEY MAKERS OF 2007

BECAUSE OF ARTHRITIS: REYES FAILED TO REGAIN HIS STATUS
AS THE TOP MONEY MAKER IN THE WORLD OF POOL THIS YEAR

FILIPINO pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes failed to regain his status as the top money-maker in the world of pool this year because of a bout with arthritis and joining only a few tournaments abroad.

The 53-year-old Reyes, occupied top spot for three consecutive years (2004-2006).
"Umatake na naman 'yung sakit ko na arthritis 'yun ang malaking dahilan kaya bihira tayo na nanalo sa taong ito," said the prize fighter of Puyat Sports cited this is only the third time in his professional billiard career that he only won a few tournaments.

"Noong 1997 at 1998 hindi din ako nagpapanalo dahil nga sa arthritis," added Reyes, who pocket the biggest paycheck in pool world netted $500,000 winning the 2006 International Pool Tour (IPT) World 8-Ball in Nevada.

"Isa pang dahilan bihira ako makasali sa ibang bansa sa taong ito lalu na sa Amerika kasi mataas ang tax," said Reyes, fresh from a quarter-final finish recently in 2007 All Japan Championships was held at Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan.

The list showed Reyes, known as the "Magician" for his variety of trick shots landed in No.13th place of www.AZbilliards.com's money list this year after accumulating $54,355.

He won three titles namely, Derby City Classic Master of the Table Bonus ($20,000), Derby City Classic One Pocket Event ($12,000) and Q Masters US Open Warm Up One Pocket Event ($1,500).

Five more Filipino cue masters also made it to the top 20---No.4 Ronato Alcano ($76,787), No.5 Dennis Orcollo ($76,121), No. 14 Francisco "Django" Bustamante (54,344), No.16 Alex Pagulayan ($50,850) and No.18 Roberto Gomez ($45,700).

Daryl Peach of England, the 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships ruler took the No.1 spot with $103,000 total earning in three tournaments. Peach, 9th place of 2007 World Cup of Pool ($2,500) and 65th place of 2007 US Open 9-Ball ($500) climb at No.1 spot after beating Gomez in the finals of 2007 Philippine World Pool Championships to bag the top prize of $100,000.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)

Sunday, December 2, 2007

WORLD JUNIOR POOL 9-BALL, FINAL RESULTS

FIL-AMERICAN MARY RAKIN RETAINS HER WORLD JR OF POOL TITLE

FILIPINO-AMERICAN Mary Rakin of the United States dominated Tina Buhnen of Germany, 9-2, in the finals to retain her World Junior girls title at the conclusion of the 2007 WPA World Youth 9-Ball for juniors and girls on Friday at the Sauerland Stern Hotel in Willingen, Germany. With this feat, Rakin becomes first U.S. Back to back winner at World Junior of Pool.

The Daly City, California based Rakin who lost her opening match with Denise Wilkinson of New Zealand, 7-4, bravely bounced back in contention by winning all her matches because another loss would mean her elimination from the title race.

On the road to the finals, Rakin whose roots from Cavite province trounced Anja Wagner of Germany, 7-6, Hui Ching Yap of Singapore, 7-2, Brina Miller of the United States, 7-2, and Kristina Schagan of Germany, 9-8, Kim Witzel of Germany, 9-4, and then beating Buhnen, 9-2, snag victory for this prestigious event.

In the boys side, Ko Pin Yi dethroned three-time champion Wu Yu Lun, 11-7, in an all-Taiwanese Finals.

It was a sweet revenge for Ko, who lost to Wu in last year's finals in Sydney, Australia.

In the semi-final round, Ko beat compatriot Kui Ming Lin, 11-8, to arrange a titular showdown with Wu, who beat Yusuke Shibata of Japan, 11-7.

Earlier, the two Filipino representatives Rene Mar David and Mark Aristotle Mendoza failed to advance in the cross-over semi-final round.

Report from MARLON BERNARDINO