Position Paper Presented to the Philippine Senate
and the Philippine Olympic Committee
by the Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines
5 May 2008
The Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines is the national sports association (NSA) governing billiard sports in the country and representing the sport in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Its membership comprises the many stakeholders of billiards, including players, promoters, billiards manufacturers and distributors, agents and managers, parlor owners, trainers, referees, and sheer lovers and fans of the sport.
We are making this appeal to the Senate and the Philippine Olympic Committee for clarification and guidance because of certain actions and directives by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) that in our view impinge on sports' freedom from government interference, and the principle of open sports that has been well recognized internationally since the 1992 Olympics. These actions and directives are:
A directive last April 4, 2008 to Star Billiards Center, a partner organization of the BSCP, ordering its owner Mr. Sebastian Chua (BSCP treasurer) to report to the GAB offices to register and secure a permit for a pool tournament that it had scheduled for April 2008 and which it had been running for many years without government interference. In the directive, GAB chairman Eric Buhain said: "Please be informed that the Games and Amusement Board is the only national government under the Office of the President mandated to regulate and supervise all sports and games in the country and one of them is the sports billiard (sic)." He claimed that GAB has authority and supervision over any sports event offering a prize of P2000 or more. (Attachment A)
Attachment to the letter to Star Billiards of a copy of Resolution No. 98-10 of the GAB "Adopting policy guidelines for the exercise of the regulatory and supervisory powers of the Games and Amusement Board over Professional Sports", which was approved by the board on November 24, 1998, and which mandated that all tournaments offering cash prizes must secure an authority from the agency, and that all players joining the tournament are de facto professionals and must secure a GAB license. (Attachment B)
A memorandum of the GAB chairman on the agency's jurisdiction dated March 17, 2008, and sent to the BSCP president on March 17, 2008, alleging that in the selection of Filipino players for international competition, even in qualifying tournaments without cash prizes, GAB has authority of supervision and regulation.
A statement of Chairman Buhain, reported in the papers today (Monday, May 5) that "promoters and players who will stage or join qualifiers and tournaments not licensed or supervised by the agency will be immediately suspended."
A letter of Chairman Buhain to players who participated in the qualifiers for the Guinness 9-Ball Tour to report to the GAB office to secure a license to exercise their profession; otherwise they would be barred from participating in any future professional events/promotions.
We place in issue the legality and reasonableness of the above actions on the following grounds and circumstances:
First, the decree which GAB cites as the source of its authority (PD No. 871) was issued under martial law on January 6, 1976 and was never meant to cover sports in general. It specifically cited "professional basketball games and other professional games", not sports. And it was meant to correct game-fixing in the PBA that had occurred at the time. We maintain that billiards in all its forms is a sport and is officially recognized as such by the International Olympic Committee since Feb. 5, 1992. In the same way that many other sports are not under the supervision of GAB today, we submit that billiards should not be subject to GAB supervision.
Second, during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos, who issued PD 871, we are of the belief that billiards was never declared nor envisioned to be subject to this decree. Up to the time he left office, the GAB under his government did not consider billiards as a professional game. What it regarded as a professional game was professional basketball under the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and perhaps professional boxing, horseracing and cockfighting. If the author of the decree did not intend it to cover billiards and other sports, why should its executors today expand its scope to extend over all sports? In our view, this is an arrogation of authority that is not in the law.
Third, we believe that GAB's basis for distinguishing between professional players and amateur players – namely, competing in an event that offers prize money – is outdated and has been overtaken by the acceptance in 1992 of professional athletes into the Olympics. When the era of open sports was proclaimed, the basis for professionalism changed. Today, it is a settled principle in international sports that an athlete becomes a professional for being paid to play, not for competing in an event with a cash prize; and a league or tournament becomes professional because it explicitly desires to be classified as professional. In this sense, the PBA and its players are professional. But those who only compete in tournaments for the love of the sport cannot be considered professionals even if the tournament itself offers cash rewards to the winners.
A case in point would be the Star Billiards tournament where neither the players nor the host of the tournament wanted the event to be classified as professional. It has been a tournament where players of different levels of skills can play against one another, i.e. A players would play against B, C or D players through handicapping rules. For the GAB to clamp down on them because they saw a story about it in the newspapers is stretching its claws too far! Following its policies, everyone in that tournament would be required to get a GAB license annually.
GAB's basis for defining professionalism has been rendered untenable by the fact that many governments, including our own, are offering cash rewards for winning medals in the SEA games, the Asian Games and the Olympics. Would an athlete in, say, track and field, lose his or her amateur status if he/she receives a cash prize for medaling? That would be absurd.
Fourth, we protest the singling out of billiards by GAB for supervision and regulation as both discriminatory against our sport and capricious. Discriminatory because its supposed policy covering tournaments offering cash prizes is not being applied to all sports and games. Tournaments with cash prizes regularly take place in chess, tennis, bowling, beach volleyball, and other sports, and they are not subjected to GAB supervision.
This policy towards billiards is also capricious because GAB has been enforcing this policy selectively. Many tournament promoters do not secure permits. We can place on evidence hundreds of tournaments with over P2000 in prizes that were not policed by the agency.
Fifth, we submit that GAB's demand for billiards players to secure a GAB license annually is an unreasonable imposition on tens of thousands of Filipino players, who mostly can hardly make ends meet. The cost of a GAB license is P950 yearly; and in addition each player is required to get medical tests that cost nearly P2000. There are very few players who can afford these fees; and still fewer who would willingly want to pay them. The effect of this policy is to infringe on the livelihood and occupation of thousands. And this is contrary to the national government's policy of encouraging and supporting every citizen in his livelihood.
Sixth, GAB seeks from tournament organizers license fees, a percentage from gate receipts, and a share from television revenues. These revenue policies result in double taxation in the case of gate receipts (local governments collect amusement taxes) and TV revenues (promoters pay BIR taxes on sponsorship income). These are heavy impositions that would reduce promoters to penury were they to pay them. As things are, it is already very difficult to secure the sponsorships necessary to mount tournaments like the national championships and the world championship.
Seventh, we are concerned that GAB's policies toward billiards will have a stifling effect on the development and promotion of our sport all over the country and among people of all ages and gender. When people must pay to engage in any sport, they would opt for another activity which they are free to enjoy. And when tournament organizers must pay sums of money to mount any form of pool competition, they would prefer to do something else. This would be a great pity considering the dynamic growth of billiards in our country in recent years because of our holding of the world pool championship in Manila and the success of many Filipino players in competition which brought glory to our country.
Finally, we submit that GAB's interference in BSCP's selection of players for international competition is an outright violation of the time-honored principle of sports' freedom from government interference under the Olympic Charter. When GAB says that it can meddle in BSCP's qualifying events, whether they are with or without purse, is arrogation of powers not within the law and not allowed under international sports.
We believe there is urgent need to resolve these questions and issues, because on their resolution may lie the future of billiards in the Philippines. If the source of this arrogation of powers and draconian policies is PD 871, then we submit that it's time the law is reexamined, amended or even repealed.
It would be unfortunate if an anachronistic decree from a bygone time were to result in the regression of a sport which we Filipinos love and wherein we excel.
contributed by Marlon Bernardino
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
DJANGO IS RUNNER-UP IN PREDATOR 10-BALL
FRANCISCO "Django" Bustamante failed to pocket his first major title this year when he bowed to eventual champion Tony Drago of Malta, 13-10, in the finals of the 8th annual Predator International 10-Ball Championship held at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, last Sunday.
With his superb performance, Drago took home the top prize of $17,000.
Bustamante, on the other hand duplicated the feat of his compatriot Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo who settled for runner-up in the last year's edition after losing to eventual winner American Shane Van Boening in the finals.
Dubbed as Tornado in the pool world, Drago is no stranger to high pressure matches in Las Vegas, as he was the man of the week back in December when his Team Europe scored an upset win over Team USA. Drago made his way into the final sixteen without a defeat and eliminated Darren Appleton of United Kingdom and Alex Pagulayan so far in the single elimination stages.
Bustamante only lost to Drago eliminated Robb Saez of the United States and fellow countryman reigning national open champion Lee Van Corteza in the single elimination stage.
On the way to the finals, Drago beat Marcus Chamat of Sweden in the semis to arrange a titular showdown with Bustamante, who outclassed Jeremy Jones of the United States.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
With his superb performance, Drago took home the top prize of $17,000.
Bustamante, on the other hand duplicated the feat of his compatriot Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo who settled for runner-up in the last year's edition after losing to eventual winner American Shane Van Boening in the finals.
Dubbed as Tornado in the pool world, Drago is no stranger to high pressure matches in Las Vegas, as he was the man of the week back in December when his Team Europe scored an upset win over Team USA. Drago made his way into the final sixteen without a defeat and eliminated Darren Appleton of United Kingdom and Alex Pagulayan so far in the single elimination stages.
Bustamante only lost to Drago eliminated Robb Saez of the United States and fellow countryman reigning national open champion Lee Van Corteza in the single elimination stage.
On the way to the finals, Drago beat Marcus Chamat of Sweden in the semis to arrange a titular showdown with Bustamante, who outclassed Jeremy Jones of the United States.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
PREDATOR 10-BALL
CORTEZA, BUSTAMANTE PREVAILS IN PREDATOR 10-BALL; BATA FALLS
Reigning National Open Champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza easily beat Ulrich Louie of the United States, 10-5, however countryman Francisco "Django" Bustamante was challenged by compatriot Jose "Amang" Parica before nailing his fourth straight win after posting a hard 10-8 victory in the on-going fourth round of 2008 Predator International 10-Ball Championships yesterday at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
" Nakausap ko si Van-Van (Lee Vann Corteza), magkakaroon ng bunutan bukas sa main draw at para kay Van-Van si (Shane) Van Boening ang tinik sa kampanya niya sa titulo," said NBS president Jonathan Sy in an interview with writer yesterday. Shane Van Boening, the defending champion in this double elimination format is currently playing in the one-loss side as of presstime.
After Louie took the first rack, the pride of Davao City Corteza clustered four straight racks to take a 4-1 lead and never trouble entire the game leading as much four racks in the 14th frame before scoring a stunning 10-5 victory.
Bustamante, the former World No.1 who seized a 2-0 to 3-1 lead before Parica tied the match at 3-all, 4-all, 5-all, 6-all, 7-all and 8-all.
Pool Maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes failed to flash his old brilliance and bowed to Alex Lely of the Netherlands, 10-7, for his second loss and join other early Filipino casualties that includes Warren Kiamco and Deomark Alpajora who lost to unheralded Keisuke Hanawa of Japan, 10-7.
Meanwhile, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego won their respective matches to remain in contention in the loser's brackets.
The Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan trounced Manuel Gama of Spain, 10-4, while the Japan-Bacolod based Gallego nipped three-time WPA World Junior Champion Vilmos Foldes of Hungrary, 10-6, in the morning session then edges Tony Robles of the United States, 10-9, in the afternoon session.
In other matches, 2006 US Open Champion John Schmidt downed compatriot Gabe Owen, 10-3, Raj Hundal crushed Darren Appleton, 10-6, Neils Fejien beat Charlie Williams, 10-3, Tony Drago trounced Tyler Edey, 10-6, Karl Boyes defeated Imram Majid, 10-4, Ralf Souquet ousted Hanawa, 10-5, and Johnny Archer conquer Mike Davis, 10-6.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Reigning National Open Champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza easily beat Ulrich Louie of the United States, 10-5, however countryman Francisco "Django" Bustamante was challenged by compatriot Jose "Amang" Parica before nailing his fourth straight win after posting a hard 10-8 victory in the on-going fourth round of 2008 Predator International 10-Ball Championships yesterday at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
" Nakausap ko si Van-Van (Lee Vann Corteza), magkakaroon ng bunutan bukas sa main draw at para kay Van-Van si (Shane) Van Boening ang tinik sa kampanya niya sa titulo," said NBS president Jonathan Sy in an interview with writer yesterday. Shane Van Boening, the defending champion in this double elimination format is currently playing in the one-loss side as of presstime.
After Louie took the first rack, the pride of Davao City Corteza clustered four straight racks to take a 4-1 lead and never trouble entire the game leading as much four racks in the 14th frame before scoring a stunning 10-5 victory.
Bustamante, the former World No.1 who seized a 2-0 to 3-1 lead before Parica tied the match at 3-all, 4-all, 5-all, 6-all, 7-all and 8-all.
Pool Maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes failed to flash his old brilliance and bowed to Alex Lely of the Netherlands, 10-7, for his second loss and join other early Filipino casualties that includes Warren Kiamco and Deomark Alpajora who lost to unheralded Keisuke Hanawa of Japan, 10-7.
Meanwhile, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego won their respective matches to remain in contention in the loser's brackets.
The Cabagan, Isabela native Pagulayan trounced Manuel Gama of Spain, 10-4, while the Japan-Bacolod based Gallego nipped three-time WPA World Junior Champion Vilmos Foldes of Hungrary, 10-6, in the morning session then edges Tony Robles of the United States, 10-9, in the afternoon session.
In other matches, 2006 US Open Champion John Schmidt downed compatriot Gabe Owen, 10-3, Raj Hundal crushed Darren Appleton, 10-6, Neils Fejien beat Charlie Williams, 10-3, Tony Drago trounced Tyler Edey, 10-6, Karl Boyes defeated Imram Majid, 10-4, Ralf Souquet ousted Hanawa, 10-5, and Johnny Archer conquer Mike Davis, 10-6.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Monday, May 12, 2008
A SAD MISUSE OF A POOL LEGEND
Statement of Yen Makabenta
BSCP Chairman
9 May 2008
The statement issued yesterday (May 8) by Efren Reyes is one more example of the misuse of players by certain unscrupulous managers to hit at the Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Raya Sports, and the leadership of the billiards community in our country.
It is a desperate attempt to deflect widespread media criticism here of Sen. Manny Villar for his misguided decision to put up a personal tournament on the same dates (May 6-11) as the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of the Philippine Pool Tour, an international tournament that had long been in the pool calendar.
It seeks to head off a Philippine Senate inquiry that will look into the actions and inaction of the Games and Amusement Board, which has abused its powers in interfering in the work of the BSCP in its billiards program and has been remiss in its duties to stop practices of illegal gambling and tournament rigging in our sport.
It rehashes verbatim wild allegations by BMPAP officials that have already been shown to be baseless and untruthful. The suggestion that we have personally reaped financial windfalls from our support of billiards through Raya is totally off tangent since we still have to turn the smallest profit from our investments of time and resources.
Our record at the BSCP and Raya Sports since we became active in our sport in 2005 speaks for itself. We have put our country in the very center of international pool. We have brought to Manila the prestigious World Pool Championship twice, in 2006 and 2007. We have held officially two national men's championship, one national women's championship, and two national juniors championship. We have pioneered in the broadcast of a weekly billiards TV program. We have created various projects for the development of billiards all over our country. As a consequence, there are more players, more fans and more supporters of our sport today than in previous years and decades.
I am saddened to see Efren being used -- and allowing himself to be used -- as an instrument to blacken the name of someone who personally helped him rise to the top of Philippine billiards. Documentary records will show, and witnesses can attest, that I championed as a magazine editor, journalist and billiards patron his career as a player in all those years when no manager and no sponsor would recognize him as the real Filipino pool champion. And I did not take or make a single cent off him for my efforts.
In our work at BSCP since I became its chairman in 2005 and our work in Raya, we have at no time ever been the recipient of the favors of Efren. In the one time when he was offered by his manager to play for our country in the Southeast Asian Games (in 2005), he pulled out at the last hour to play instead in the lucrative International Pool Tour in the United States. So we find it incredible and shabby that he should be suggesting that we ever exploited him as a player.
In all the tournaments and events that Raya and BSCP have mounted, Efren made it a point never to participate because of the dictates of his manager, Aristeo Puyat. In the two world championships that he joined – the 2006 and 2007 WPCs – his manager made it a point to say that he was only joining because Matchroom Sports was running the show. And he has not said one word in praise of all that we were doing for our sport in our country – so we can't even owe him that.
Behind this controversy that has cast a cloud on Philippine pool is the naked attempt of player managers to take over from BSCP the governance and direction of billiard sports in our country, in order to implement their own agenda for the establishment of a pro team league. As they have failed and keep failing in their agenda, so have their actions become more desperate. The latest is their pathetic decision to mount an event simultaneously with the inaugural tournament of the Philippine Pool Tour.
To those who really know what is what in Philippine pool – and these include the players themselves who are being misused – our biggest offense at BSCP and Raya is that we dared to mount an ambitious and proactive program in our sport. Our efforts stole the limelight from a self-proclaimed "billiards godfather" and derailed the gambling schemes of some managers and their backers. Their own tournaments have been dwarfed and will always be dwarfed – in organizational knowhow, quality equipment, player participation, sponsorship support, and broadcast reach – for as long as we are on the scene.
It is fortunate that the Philippine Senate will be conducting its inquiry very soon because it will finally bring out the truth about the billiards situation in our country, and throw light on the shadowy practices and sinister forces that are tarnishing our sport and endangering its future.
Ferreting out the truth will serve as a cleansing process for Philippine pool. It will make our sport and our billiards community stronger. And we at the BSCP and Raya Sports welcome it.
BSCP Chairman
9 May 2008
The statement issued yesterday (May 8) by Efren Reyes is one more example of the misuse of players by certain unscrupulous managers to hit at the Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Raya Sports, and the leadership of the billiards community in our country.
It is a desperate attempt to deflect widespread media criticism here of Sen. Manny Villar for his misguided decision to put up a personal tournament on the same dates (May 6-11) as the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of the Philippine Pool Tour, an international tournament that had long been in the pool calendar.
It seeks to head off a Philippine Senate inquiry that will look into the actions and inaction of the Games and Amusement Board, which has abused its powers in interfering in the work of the BSCP in its billiards program and has been remiss in its duties to stop practices of illegal gambling and tournament rigging in our sport.
It rehashes verbatim wild allegations by BMPAP officials that have already been shown to be baseless and untruthful. The suggestion that we have personally reaped financial windfalls from our support of billiards through Raya is totally off tangent since we still have to turn the smallest profit from our investments of time and resources.
Our record at the BSCP and Raya Sports since we became active in our sport in 2005 speaks for itself. We have put our country in the very center of international pool. We have brought to Manila the prestigious World Pool Championship twice, in 2006 and 2007. We have held officially two national men's championship, one national women's championship, and two national juniors championship. We have pioneered in the broadcast of a weekly billiards TV program. We have created various projects for the development of billiards all over our country. As a consequence, there are more players, more fans and more supporters of our sport today than in previous years and decades.
I am saddened to see Efren being used -- and allowing himself to be used -- as an instrument to blacken the name of someone who personally helped him rise to the top of Philippine billiards. Documentary records will show, and witnesses can attest, that I championed as a magazine editor, journalist and billiards patron his career as a player in all those years when no manager and no sponsor would recognize him as the real Filipino pool champion. And I did not take or make a single cent off him for my efforts.
In our work at BSCP since I became its chairman in 2005 and our work in Raya, we have at no time ever been the recipient of the favors of Efren. In the one time when he was offered by his manager to play for our country in the Southeast Asian Games (in 2005), he pulled out at the last hour to play instead in the lucrative International Pool Tour in the United States. So we find it incredible and shabby that he should be suggesting that we ever exploited him as a player.
In all the tournaments and events that Raya and BSCP have mounted, Efren made it a point never to participate because of the dictates of his manager, Aristeo Puyat. In the two world championships that he joined – the 2006 and 2007 WPCs – his manager made it a point to say that he was only joining because Matchroom Sports was running the show. And he has not said one word in praise of all that we were doing for our sport in our country – so we can't even owe him that.
Behind this controversy that has cast a cloud on Philippine pool is the naked attempt of player managers to take over from BSCP the governance and direction of billiard sports in our country, in order to implement their own agenda for the establishment of a pro team league. As they have failed and keep failing in their agenda, so have their actions become more desperate. The latest is their pathetic decision to mount an event simultaneously with the inaugural tournament of the Philippine Pool Tour.
To those who really know what is what in Philippine pool – and these include the players themselves who are being misused – our biggest offense at BSCP and Raya is that we dared to mount an ambitious and proactive program in our sport. Our efforts stole the limelight from a self-proclaimed "billiards godfather" and derailed the gambling schemes of some managers and their backers. Their own tournaments have been dwarfed and will always be dwarfed – in organizational knowhow, quality equipment, player participation, sponsorship support, and broadcast reach – for as long as we are on the scene.
It is fortunate that the Philippine Senate will be conducting its inquiry very soon because it will finally bring out the truth about the billiards situation in our country, and throw light on the shadowy practices and sinister forces that are tarnishing our sport and endangering its future.
Ferreting out the truth will serve as a cleansing process for Philippine pool. It will make our sport and our billiards community stronger. And we at the BSCP and Raya Sports welcome it.
ALEX WINS WORLD POOL MASTERS
FIL-CANADIAN ALEX PAGULAYAN defeated Mika Immonen of Finland, 8-6, in the finals of 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters Champion to emerge over-all champion in the front of a packed crowd at the Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas on Monday.
The Cabagan, Isabela native was 6-3 down at one stage and looking in severe trouble but the match turned on an illegal break by Immonen whereby he pocketed a ball but failed to carry two other balls past the headstring.
From there Pagulayan cleared to table to gain the necessary momentum and he became stronger over the closing stages to take victory.
"This was like winning the World Championship for me. I've always wanted it but I've finally broken the ice," said a jubilant Pagulayan, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports Stable
"This is 9 ball and I couldn't get too upset because I didn't get a chance. I thought if he runs the set, then he runs the set but I knew that if I got a chance I would need to focus and concentrate and do the best I can." He added.
"I really didn't think I'd won it until the last 9 ball dropped but there were lots of people who like me watching and that was good for me to have that support," last word of Pagulayan.
Pagulayan road's to the finals after beating stablemate former world No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 8-4, in the semi-finals to arrange a titular showdown with Immonen, a similar 8-4 winner over reigning WPA World Junior Champion Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan.
In the finals, Pagulayan made two balls from the opening break of the final and although Immonen got to the table, the diminutive Filipino took the rack for the early lead.
In contrast to the earlier semi-finals, there was another break that produced three balls but Pagulayan could not capitalise as he missed the 2 ball. Immonen took advantage to run out and level it.
A golden break from Immonen, as the cue ball kicked the 9 ball home, saw Immonen take the lead and he almost did the same again in the fourth, as the 9 ball hung in the pocket. The Finn pocketed the 1 ball and then made an easy 2/9 combination to go 3-1 ahead.
The 1 ball rolled into the corner pocket off the next break but Immonen made a bad miss on the 3 ball as he seemed to hit it too hard.
Pagulayan over hit his shot as he ran out of position on the 4 ball but he redeemed the situation with an excellent cut, gaining good shape on the 5 ball. From there he ran out to take the score to 3-2 to Immonen.
The Filipino made a schoolboy error in the next as he hit the 4 ball prior to hitting the 2 and with ball in hand, Immonen ran out to restore his two rack lead at 4-2.
The Finn took the next rack to move to 5-2 and all the pressure was now on Pagulayan. He responded well as he ran the next rack to reduce arrears.
There was disappointment for Pagulayan though as he scratched off the break in the next. The balls were laid out nicely and Immonen completed an easy run out to take his lead to 6-3.
Immonen made an illegal break in the next as he pocketed a ball but did not bring the requisite two others past the headstring. The punishment of loss of visit allowed Pagulayan back to the table and he made a tidy run out to get within two of Immonen.
Now playing with renewed vigour, he delivered a good break that gave him a chance to get right back into it and he duly responded as a break and run took him to within a rack of Immonen. Now on a roll, Pagulayan broke and ran the 12th rack to draw level at 6-6.
Breaking from the centre of the table, Pagulayan deposited the 1 ball into the centre pocket and played a fine long reverse cut to down the 2 ball. In the zone now, Pagulayan completed his fourth rack in a row to move to the hill at 7-6.
Just when he needed some luck, Immonen returned to the table as Pagulayan scratched on the break as he drew the cue ball into the pocket.
There was disaster for Immonen as he drew the cue ball all the way down table and into the corner pocket as he went from the 1 ball to the 2.
With ball in hand, Pagulayan worked his way through the table and as he planted the 9 ball, he let out a yell of joy as he became 2008 PartyPoker.net
"It was brutal, why did it have to happen there?" said a disappointed Immonen.
"I was able to get a good lead but the illegal break was the real turning point as it gave him the opportunity to get back in it.
"He had some nice layouts but he played well and probably deserved to win. But that's the way it is sometimes. I'm getting more consistent and the No.1 spot will come sooner or later," he added.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The Cabagan, Isabela native was 6-3 down at one stage and looking in severe trouble but the match turned on an illegal break by Immonen whereby he pocketed a ball but failed to carry two other balls past the headstring.
From there Pagulayan cleared to table to gain the necessary momentum and he became stronger over the closing stages to take victory.
"This was like winning the World Championship for me. I've always wanted it but I've finally broken the ice," said a jubilant Pagulayan, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports Stable
"This is 9 ball and I couldn't get too upset because I didn't get a chance. I thought if he runs the set, then he runs the set but I knew that if I got a chance I would need to focus and concentrate and do the best I can." He added.
"I really didn't think I'd won it until the last 9 ball dropped but there were lots of people who like me watching and that was good for me to have that support," last word of Pagulayan.
Pagulayan road's to the finals after beating stablemate former world No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 8-4, in the semi-finals to arrange a titular showdown with Immonen, a similar 8-4 winner over reigning WPA World Junior Champion Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan.
In the finals, Pagulayan made two balls from the opening break of the final and although Immonen got to the table, the diminutive Filipino took the rack for the early lead.
In contrast to the earlier semi-finals, there was another break that produced three balls but Pagulayan could not capitalise as he missed the 2 ball. Immonen took advantage to run out and level it.
A golden break from Immonen, as the cue ball kicked the 9 ball home, saw Immonen take the lead and he almost did the same again in the fourth, as the 9 ball hung in the pocket. The Finn pocketed the 1 ball and then made an easy 2/9 combination to go 3-1 ahead.
The 1 ball rolled into the corner pocket off the next break but Immonen made a bad miss on the 3 ball as he seemed to hit it too hard.
Pagulayan over hit his shot as he ran out of position on the 4 ball but he redeemed the situation with an excellent cut, gaining good shape on the 5 ball. From there he ran out to take the score to 3-2 to Immonen.
The Filipino made a schoolboy error in the next as he hit the 4 ball prior to hitting the 2 and with ball in hand, Immonen ran out to restore his two rack lead at 4-2.
The Finn took the next rack to move to 5-2 and all the pressure was now on Pagulayan. He responded well as he ran the next rack to reduce arrears.
There was disappointment for Pagulayan though as he scratched off the break in the next. The balls were laid out nicely and Immonen completed an easy run out to take his lead to 6-3.
Immonen made an illegal break in the next as he pocketed a ball but did not bring the requisite two others past the headstring. The punishment of loss of visit allowed Pagulayan back to the table and he made a tidy run out to get within two of Immonen.
Now playing with renewed vigour, he delivered a good break that gave him a chance to get right back into it and he duly responded as a break and run took him to within a rack of Immonen. Now on a roll, Pagulayan broke and ran the 12th rack to draw level at 6-6.
Breaking from the centre of the table, Pagulayan deposited the 1 ball into the centre pocket and played a fine long reverse cut to down the 2 ball. In the zone now, Pagulayan completed his fourth rack in a row to move to the hill at 7-6.
Just when he needed some luck, Immonen returned to the table as Pagulayan scratched on the break as he drew the cue ball into the pocket.
There was disaster for Immonen as he drew the cue ball all the way down table and into the corner pocket as he went from the 1 ball to the 2.
With ball in hand, Pagulayan worked his way through the table and as he planted the 9 ball, he let out a yell of joy as he became 2008 PartyPoker.net
"It was brutal, why did it have to happen there?" said a disappointed Immonen.
"I was able to get a good lead but the illegal break was the real turning point as it gave him the opportunity to get back in it.
"He had some nice layouts but he played well and probably deserved to win. But that's the way it is sometimes. I'm getting more consistent and the No.1 spot will come sooner or later," he added.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
ALEX ENTERS SEMIS IN WORLD POOL MASTERS
FILIPINO-CANADIAN Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan flashed his old fiery form to down American Rodney "Rocket" Morris, 8-6, and became the first semi-finalist at the PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters yesterday being at the Riviera Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
"I enjoyed that absolutely," said Pagulayan after the match in an interview of the organizing committee. "I was nervous and a bit shaky but I think I played well under the conditions and tried really hard to focus." he added.
"In the end I had a bit more luck than him. Out there, under the gun, the table played tough but race to eight, with the TV and crowd, everything is tough," he added.
Another Filipino entry and former World No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante is schedule to face Imram Majid of England in the Final Eight, who beat Shane Van Boening of the United States.
The winner of the match between Bustamante and Majid will meet Pagulayan in the semi-final round.
In other matches saw, reigning WPA World Junior Champion Ko Pin-Yi of Taiwan defeated ex-world titlist Ralf Souquet of Germany, 8-3, to meet Tony Drago of Malta, who brought down Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, 8-7.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
"I enjoyed that absolutely," said Pagulayan after the match in an interview of the organizing committee. "I was nervous and a bit shaky but I think I played well under the conditions and tried really hard to focus." he added.
"In the end I had a bit more luck than him. Out there, under the gun, the table played tough but race to eight, with the TV and crowd, everything is tough," he added.
Another Filipino entry and former World No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante is schedule to face Imram Majid of England in the Final Eight, who beat Shane Van Boening of the United States.
The winner of the match between Bustamante and Majid will meet Pagulayan in the semi-final round.
In other matches saw, reigning WPA World Junior Champion Ko Pin-Yi of Taiwan defeated ex-world titlist Ralf Souquet of Germany, 8-3, to meet Tony Drago of Malta, who brought down Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, 8-7.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
ALEX, DJANGO WIN OPENERS IN WORLD POOL MASTERS
FILIPINOS Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan lived up to expectations by hurdling their respective rivals at the start of the 2008 PartyPoker.com World Pool Masters being held at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegasin United States on Saturday.
Bustamante, the former World No.1 blasted Bruno Muratore of Italy, 8-1, to face the winner of the matches between Shane Van Boening of the United States or Imram Majid of United Kingdom in the quarter-final round.
Pagulayan, meanwhile nipped Mark Gray of England, 8-7, to meet Rodney "Rocket" Morris of the United States, winner over defending champion Thomas Engert of Germany, 8-3.
"Everyone in this tournament is tough but really, I don't care who I play. Muratore was so nervous but I was too with the crowd and the TV."Commented Bustamante in the official website.
"I only made two run outs from the break but a lot of the time he had no shot and also missed lots of balls." He added. "It's a good table though, the pockets are tight and you've got to play exact shots. If you hit it too hard, the balls come out."
Pagulayan, on the other hand said, "Rodney has always been a good friend and we're going to have some fun. We'll kick it!"
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Bustamante, the former World No.1 blasted Bruno Muratore of Italy, 8-1, to face the winner of the matches between Shane Van Boening of the United States or Imram Majid of United Kingdom in the quarter-final round.
Pagulayan, meanwhile nipped Mark Gray of England, 8-7, to meet Rodney "Rocket" Morris of the United States, winner over defending champion Thomas Engert of Germany, 8-3.
"Everyone in this tournament is tough but really, I don't care who I play. Muratore was so nervous but I was too with the crowd and the TV."Commented Bustamante in the official website.
"I only made two run outs from the break but a lot of the time he had no shot and also missed lots of balls." He added. "It's a good table though, the pockets are tight and you've got to play exact shots. If you hit it too hard, the balls come out."
Pagulayan, on the other hand said, "Rodney has always been a good friend and we're going to have some fun. We'll kick it!"
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
GABICA BEATS MANALO, WINS MANDALUYONG CUP
ANTONIO "Ga'Ga" Gabica scored a long-awaited victory this year when he beat compatriot and fellow PBDF player Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo, 13-8, in the finals of tough Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup Ten Ball Championship dubbed as inauguration of Philippine Pool Tour (PPT) at the Mandaluyong Hall Auditorium in Mandaluyong City, on Sunday.
Gabica who failed to bagged any single local and international title this year, also the 2007 San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open Champion, appeared to regain his best form in the time of World Ten Ball Championships slated on September.
Gabica received the top prize of $10,000 and slot for this year's World Ten Ball.
He raced a 3-1 to 5-2 lead and took four of the seven racks for a 9-5 lead. However, Manalo came back in the game close the match at 9-8 winning three straight racks before Gabica never looked backed for a 13-8 victory.
"Suwerte lamang talaga kasi kahit nakauna tayo kay Marlon (Manalo) ay talagang lumaban siya at dumikit pa sa bandand huli."said Gabica, who teaming up with Manalo to went home the gold medal in the doubles competition in the last year's Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
" Buti di tayo bumigay sa bandang huli," added Gabica, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist and 8-ball silver medallist.
The tournament, jointly organized by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Raya Sports aired lived through ABS Studio 23 and the Filipino Channel. The event was hosted by mayor Benhur Abalos in close cooperation with League Cities of the Philippines. World Class Brunswick Billiard Table is the official billiard table.
Actually, it was a third straight victory of Gabica over Manalo in their head to head duel after the former (Gabica) beat the latter's (Manalo) twice recently in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) qualifying tournament for the Guinness 9-ball tour and World 8-Ball slots.
Gabica trounced national junior champion Jericho Banares, 11-3, yesterday to arrange a titular showdown with Manalo, who earlier booked his semi-finalist seat by beating Leonardo Andam, 11-7.
"Inaasahan kong gaganti si Marlon (Manalo) at tiyak bentahe siya kasi sa teritoryo niya ang venue, I mean y'ung home crowd support sa kanya, " Commented the Lapu-Lapu City native Gabica before the race-to-13 finals.
Interestingly, Gabica and Manalo, both top player of the Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF) under the tutelage of Amado "June" Diokno and Willie "Hoots" Aldeguer.
Gabica's road to the race-to-13, winner's break format came from wins over Richard Rollo, 9-5, Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, Courtent Symons of England, 9-4, and Tomoo Takano of Japan, 9-4.
Manalo, on the other hand beat Luis Saberdo, 9-6, James Al Ortega, 9-7, Gerald Carbonera, 9-4, and Allan Soliman, 9-5, respectively.
Meanwhile, Banares and Andam, both advance into the Final Four via back door. Banares, 18, beat
Leonardo Didal, 9-7,and take 7-0 lead to frustrate ex-world titlist Thorsten Hohmann of Germany into a 9-4 victory.
Andam on his part bested Chien-Te Chung of Taiwan, 9-2, after taking a 3-0 lead then ousted compatriot Mario Tolentino via 9-7 wins.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Gabica who failed to bagged any single local and international title this year, also the 2007 San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open Champion, appeared to regain his best form in the time of World Ten Ball Championships slated on September.
Gabica received the top prize of $10,000 and slot for this year's World Ten Ball.
He raced a 3-1 to 5-2 lead and took four of the seven racks for a 9-5 lead. However, Manalo came back in the game close the match at 9-8 winning three straight racks before Gabica never looked backed for a 13-8 victory.
"Suwerte lamang talaga kasi kahit nakauna tayo kay Marlon (Manalo) ay talagang lumaban siya at dumikit pa sa bandand huli."said Gabica, who teaming up with Manalo to went home the gold medal in the doubles competition in the last year's Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
" Buti di tayo bumigay sa bandang huli," added Gabica, the 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball gold medalist and 8-ball silver medallist.
The tournament, jointly organized by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Raya Sports aired lived through ABS Studio 23 and the Filipino Channel. The event was hosted by mayor Benhur Abalos in close cooperation with League Cities of the Philippines. World Class Brunswick Billiard Table is the official billiard table.
Actually, it was a third straight victory of Gabica over Manalo in their head to head duel after the former (Gabica) beat the latter's (Manalo) twice recently in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) qualifying tournament for the Guinness 9-ball tour and World 8-Ball slots.
Gabica trounced national junior champion Jericho Banares, 11-3, yesterday to arrange a titular showdown with Manalo, who earlier booked his semi-finalist seat by beating Leonardo Andam, 11-7.
"Inaasahan kong gaganti si Marlon (Manalo) at tiyak bentahe siya kasi sa teritoryo niya ang venue, I mean y'ung home crowd support sa kanya, " Commented the Lapu-Lapu City native Gabica before the race-to-13 finals.
Interestingly, Gabica and Manalo, both top player of the Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF) under the tutelage of Amado "June" Diokno and Willie "Hoots" Aldeguer.
Gabica's road to the race-to-13, winner's break format came from wins over Richard Rollo, 9-5, Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, Courtent Symons of England, 9-4, and Tomoo Takano of Japan, 9-4.
Manalo, on the other hand beat Luis Saberdo, 9-6, James Al Ortega, 9-7, Gerald Carbonera, 9-4, and Allan Soliman, 9-5, respectively.
Meanwhile, Banares and Andam, both advance into the Final Four via back door. Banares, 18, beat
Leonardo Didal, 9-7,and take 7-0 lead to frustrate ex-world titlist Thorsten Hohmann of Germany into a 9-4 victory.
Andam on his part bested Chien-Te Chung of Taiwan, 9-2, after taking a 3-0 lead then ousted compatriot Mario Tolentino via 9-7 wins.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
FOUR PINOYS IN SEMIS OF MANDALUYONG CUP
MANDALUYONG CITY---After five days of intense, exciting action, four players remained standing in the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of the Philippine Pool Tour. And they were, interestingly and surprisingly, all Filipinos.
Philippine junior champion Jerico Banares and veteran Leonardo Andam notched two critical wins each in Day 5 to join Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica in the Final Four. Manalo and Gabica had booked their places in the semifinals in Day 4.
Former world champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan, the remaining foreign players in the field, failed in their respective bids to stay in contention for the $10,000 top prize.
The inaugural tournament of the PPT moved Saturday from the Kaban ng Hiyas Auditorium to the Mandaluyong City Hall Atrium for the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The event has been reduced to one Brunswick table. And it is now being broadcast live on ABS Studio 23 nationwide in the Philippines, and worldwide on the Filipino Channel. A live Webcast is also being provided on this Raya website.
Banares, easily the sensation of the tournament at 18 years of age, began the day by edging Leonardo Didal, 9-7, in an exciting contest. Trailing 8-7, Didal had a chance to forge a hill-hill climax. But having to stretch over balls with the mechanical bridge proved too much for him. He muffed his chance. Banares closed the deal immediately afterwards.
The eighteen-year-old then went up against Hohmann, who had been in good form throughout the tournament and had lost a hill-hill thriller to Manalo for his only loss. Banares quickly showed that he could already play with the big boys. He raced to a 7-0 lead before yielding a rack to Hohmann.
Hohmann gamely tried to make a match of it as Banares briefly faltered in his shotmaking. But with a chance to close the count to 8-5, he bungled overshot his position on the 10-ball in the 14th rack and had to settle for a bank shot. He missed and Banares closed out the match.
Andam's march to the Final Four was just as thrilling. Facing first the formidable Chung, who had been solid throughout the tournament, he raced to a 3-0 lead, only to muff position and his shot on the 10-ball in the 4th rack.
Chung closed the count to 3-2 and had a chance to tie in the 6th rack. But he missed a shot on the 8-ball and Andam got the breathing room he needed. Feeling more confident, the veteran stormed ahead to a 7-2 lead and then coasted to victory.
Andam's next match with Mario Tolentino began in reverse fashion. He had to battle back to contend. Tolentino quickly raced to a 5-0 lead and was looking invincible. But then Andam took the 6th rack with a good runout of the table. And that started a remarkable roll of seven straight racks, punctuated by fine shotmaking, great position play and smooth runouts.
With the score at 8-7 and a chance to tie, Tolentino failed in a long cross-table bank shot of the 7-ball. Andam closed the deal.
The tournament now enters the final day of action on Sunday (May 12) with the cross-over semifinals. Manalo will face Banares in the first match. And Gabica will face Andam in the other semifinal.
The winners will then clash for the championship – and the trophy and check of $10,000 that go with it.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Philippine junior champion Jerico Banares and veteran Leonardo Andam notched two critical wins each in Day 5 to join Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica in the Final Four. Manalo and Gabica had booked their places in the semifinals in Day 4.
Former world champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan, the remaining foreign players in the field, failed in their respective bids to stay in contention for the $10,000 top prize.
The inaugural tournament of the PPT moved Saturday from the Kaban ng Hiyas Auditorium to the Mandaluyong City Hall Atrium for the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The event has been reduced to one Brunswick table. And it is now being broadcast live on ABS Studio 23 nationwide in the Philippines, and worldwide on the Filipino Channel. A live Webcast is also being provided on this Raya website.
Banares, easily the sensation of the tournament at 18 years of age, began the day by edging Leonardo Didal, 9-7, in an exciting contest. Trailing 8-7, Didal had a chance to forge a hill-hill climax. But having to stretch over balls with the mechanical bridge proved too much for him. He muffed his chance. Banares closed the deal immediately afterwards.
The eighteen-year-old then went up against Hohmann, who had been in good form throughout the tournament and had lost a hill-hill thriller to Manalo for his only loss. Banares quickly showed that he could already play with the big boys. He raced to a 7-0 lead before yielding a rack to Hohmann.
Hohmann gamely tried to make a match of it as Banares briefly faltered in his shotmaking. But with a chance to close the count to 8-5, he bungled overshot his position on the 10-ball in the 14th rack and had to settle for a bank shot. He missed and Banares closed out the match.
Andam's march to the Final Four was just as thrilling. Facing first the formidable Chung, who had been solid throughout the tournament, he raced to a 3-0 lead, only to muff position and his shot on the 10-ball in the 4th rack.
Chung closed the count to 3-2 and had a chance to tie in the 6th rack. But he missed a shot on the 8-ball and Andam got the breathing room he needed. Feeling more confident, the veteran stormed ahead to a 7-2 lead and then coasted to victory.
Andam's next match with Mario Tolentino began in reverse fashion. He had to battle back to contend. Tolentino quickly raced to a 5-0 lead and was looking invincible. But then Andam took the 6th rack with a good runout of the table. And that started a remarkable roll of seven straight racks, punctuated by fine shotmaking, great position play and smooth runouts.
With the score at 8-7 and a chance to tie, Tolentino failed in a long cross-table bank shot of the 7-ball. Andam closed the deal.
The tournament now enters the final day of action on Sunday (May 12) with the cross-over semifinals. Manalo will face Banares in the first match. And Gabica will face Andam in the other semifinal.
The winners will then clash for the championship – and the trophy and check of $10,000 that go with it.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
MANALO, GABICA ENTERS SEMIS IN MANDALUYONG CUP
LOCAL BET Marlon Manalo and Antonio Gabica, both top player of Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF) hurdle their respective rivals after Day 4 to advance in the semi-final round of the $30,000 Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup Ten Ball Championship dubbed as inaugural event of the Philippine Pool Tour late Friday held at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.
Manalo, who is seeking another title to tucked under his belt edges former WPA World 9-Ball Champion Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany, 9-8, while Gabica, reigning 2007 San Miguel Beer Philippine Open champion nipped compatriot Mario Tolentino in a similar 9-5 victory.
"Malayong factor 'yung suporta na pinakikita ng mga kababayan ko, sila ang naging ispirasyon ko at s'yempre ang pamilya ko na laging sumusuporta sa akin," said the 30-year-old Manalo, who sealed the deal with a crafty safety play on the four ball in the last rack but Hohmann managed to hit the 4-ball, however the latter's (Hohmann) gave Manalo a golden opportunity as the former (Manalo) take a left open shot to runout the table and escaped a 9-8 decision wins in the event presented by San Miguel Beer.
"Hope pumabor 'yung bola sa atin bukas (ngayon), said Manalo, fondly called "Marvelous" in international pool thus his victory was a revenge of sorts when he lost to Hohmann in the finals of the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship – also a hill-hill thriller two years ago.
On the way to the final four Manalo defeated Luis Saberdo, 9-6, James Al Ortega, 9-7, Gerald Carbonera, 9-4, and Allan Soliman, 9-5, respectively while Gabica beat Richard Rollo, 9-5, Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, Courtney Symons of England, 9-4 and Tomoo Takano of Japan, 9-4.
"Gagawin ko ang best ko na manalo muli tayo," commented the 35-year-old Lapu-Lapu City ace Gabica.
Hohmann and Tolentino also had a chance in contention in the $10,000 top prize, double elimination format , both looking for the last two slots in the loser's brackets to catch up the last bus in the semis.
On the losers' bracket, Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan tronced James Al Ortega (9-5), Junbert Ogang (9-5), and Kenji Taguchi of Japan (9-2), to stay in course.
18-year-old Jerico Banares, reigning Philippine Junior Champion continued to impress pool aficionados and the media. In a match between a junior and a senior, he downed 58-year-old Gerry Watson of Canada, 9-6, to book himself a place in the last eight.
"Who is this guy?" Watson declared with good humor afterwards. "He didn't miss a shot!"
Leonardo Didal took perhaps the biggest scalp in the tournament. He ousted Johnny Archer of the United States, 9-7. He scored two other victories: against Gilbert Carbonera 9-5, and against Tomoo Tanaka of Japan, 9-5,
The final name in the Last Eight is talented veteran Leonardo Andam. He began Day 4 with a nail-biting thriller against Raymond Faraon (9-8), and then mowed down Courtney Symons of England (9-4) and Allan Soliman (9-2).
The six players in the Losers Bracket – Thorsten Hohmann, Mario Tolentino, Chun Chien-Te, Jerico Banares, Leonardo Didal and Leonardo Andam – will see action Saturday (May 10) to decide who will be the two players to enter the Final Four in Sunday's finale.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Manalo, who is seeking another title to tucked under his belt edges former WPA World 9-Ball Champion Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany, 9-8, while Gabica, reigning 2007 San Miguel Beer Philippine Open champion nipped compatriot Mario Tolentino in a similar 9-5 victory.
"Malayong factor 'yung suporta na pinakikita ng mga kababayan ko, sila ang naging ispirasyon ko at s'yempre ang pamilya ko na laging sumusuporta sa akin," said the 30-year-old Manalo, who sealed the deal with a crafty safety play on the four ball in the last rack but Hohmann managed to hit the 4-ball, however the latter's (Hohmann) gave Manalo a golden opportunity as the former (Manalo) take a left open shot to runout the table and escaped a 9-8 decision wins in the event presented by San Miguel Beer.
"Hope pumabor 'yung bola sa atin bukas (ngayon), said Manalo, fondly called "Marvelous" in international pool thus his victory was a revenge of sorts when he lost to Hohmann in the finals of the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship – also a hill-hill thriller two years ago.
On the way to the final four Manalo defeated Luis Saberdo, 9-6, James Al Ortega, 9-7, Gerald Carbonera, 9-4, and Allan Soliman, 9-5, respectively while Gabica beat Richard Rollo, 9-5, Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, Courtney Symons of England, 9-4 and Tomoo Takano of Japan, 9-4.
"Gagawin ko ang best ko na manalo muli tayo," commented the 35-year-old Lapu-Lapu City ace Gabica.
Hohmann and Tolentino also had a chance in contention in the $10,000 top prize, double elimination format , both looking for the last two slots in the loser's brackets to catch up the last bus in the semis.
On the losers' bracket, Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan tronced James Al Ortega (9-5), Junbert Ogang (9-5), and Kenji Taguchi of Japan (9-2), to stay in course.
18-year-old Jerico Banares, reigning Philippine Junior Champion continued to impress pool aficionados and the media. In a match between a junior and a senior, he downed 58-year-old Gerry Watson of Canada, 9-6, to book himself a place in the last eight.
"Who is this guy?" Watson declared with good humor afterwards. "He didn't miss a shot!"
Leonardo Didal took perhaps the biggest scalp in the tournament. He ousted Johnny Archer of the United States, 9-7. He scored two other victories: against Gilbert Carbonera 9-5, and against Tomoo Tanaka of Japan, 9-5,
The final name in the Last Eight is talented veteran Leonardo Andam. He began Day 4 with a nail-biting thriller against Raymond Faraon (9-8), and then mowed down Courtney Symons of England (9-4) and Allan Soliman (9-2).
The six players in the Losers Bracket – Thorsten Hohmann, Mario Tolentino, Chun Chien-Te, Jerico Banares, Leonardo Didal and Leonardo Andam – will see action Saturday (May 10) to decide who will be the two players to enter the Final Four in Sunday's finale.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
MANALO BEATS HOHMANN
MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES---Hometown favorite Marlon Manalo bested German ace Thorsten Hohmann in a duel of the undefeated in Day 4 of the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup, and booked himself a seat in the Final Four of the inaugural event of the Philippine Pool Tour.
The exciting match went down to the last rack and the last ball before it was settled with Manalo on top, 9-8. He sealed the deal with a crafty safety play on the four ball. Although Hohmann managed to hit the 4-ball, he left Manalo an open shot, which he promptly turned into a runout.
The victory was a revenge of sorts for the guy they call "Marvelous". In 2006, he met and lost to Hohmann in the finals of the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship – also a hill-hill thriller.
The Mandaluyong field which started with 64 players was reduced Friday night to eight players – two in the winners' bracket, and six in the losers' bracket.
The other big winner on Day 4 was Antonio Gabica, reigning 2007 San Miguel Philippine Open champion. He downed another Filipino standout, Mario Tolentino, by the score of 9-5.
Trailing 3-1, Gabica came storming back by taking five straight racks before Tolentino could take another rack. From there, Gabica coasted to the finish line.
Hohmann and Tolentino are not out of the hunt. They now move to the losers bracket in Day 5, where they will try to book themselves seats in the Final Four.
On the losers' bracket, Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan remained in contention. He won three times yesterday, besting James Al Ortega (9-5), Junbert Ogang (9-5), and Kenji Taguchi of Japan (9-2).
18-year-old Jerico Banares, reigning Philippine Junior Champion continued to impress pool aficionados and the media. In a match between a junior and a senior, he downed 58-year-old Gerry Watson of Canada, 9-6, to book himself a place in the last eight.
"Who is this guy?" Watson declared with good humor afterwards. "He didn't miss a shot!"
Leonardo Didal took perhaps the biggest scalp in the tournament. He ousted Johnny Archer of the United States, 9-7. He scored two other victories: against Gilbert Carbonera 9-5, and against Tomoo Tanaka of Japan, 9-5,
The final name in the Last Eight is talented veteran Leonardo Andam. He began Day 4 with a nail-biting thriller against Raymond Faraon (9-8), and then mowed down Courtney Symons of England (9-4) and Allan Soliman (9-2).
The six players in the Losers Bracket – Thorsten Hohmann, Mario Tolentino, Chun Chien-Te, Jerico Banares, Leonardo Didal and Leonardo Andam – will see action Saturday (May 10) to decide who will be the two players to enter the Final Four in Sunday's finale.
contributed by Marlon Bernardino
The exciting match went down to the last rack and the last ball before it was settled with Manalo on top, 9-8. He sealed the deal with a crafty safety play on the four ball. Although Hohmann managed to hit the 4-ball, he left Manalo an open shot, which he promptly turned into a runout.
The victory was a revenge of sorts for the guy they call "Marvelous". In 2006, he met and lost to Hohmann in the finals of the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship – also a hill-hill thriller.
The Mandaluyong field which started with 64 players was reduced Friday night to eight players – two in the winners' bracket, and six in the losers' bracket.
The other big winner on Day 4 was Antonio Gabica, reigning 2007 San Miguel Philippine Open champion. He downed another Filipino standout, Mario Tolentino, by the score of 9-5.
Trailing 3-1, Gabica came storming back by taking five straight racks before Tolentino could take another rack. From there, Gabica coasted to the finish line.
Hohmann and Tolentino are not out of the hunt. They now move to the losers bracket in Day 5, where they will try to book themselves seats in the Final Four.
On the losers' bracket, Chung Chien-Te of Taiwan remained in contention. He won three times yesterday, besting James Al Ortega (9-5), Junbert Ogang (9-5), and Kenji Taguchi of Japan (9-2).
18-year-old Jerico Banares, reigning Philippine Junior Champion continued to impress pool aficionados and the media. In a match between a junior and a senior, he downed 58-year-old Gerry Watson of Canada, 9-6, to book himself a place in the last eight.
"Who is this guy?" Watson declared with good humor afterwards. "He didn't miss a shot!"
Leonardo Didal took perhaps the biggest scalp in the tournament. He ousted Johnny Archer of the United States, 9-7. He scored two other victories: against Gilbert Carbonera 9-5, and against Tomoo Tanaka of Japan, 9-5,
The final name in the Last Eight is talented veteran Leonardo Andam. He began Day 4 with a nail-biting thriller against Raymond Faraon (9-8), and then mowed down Courtney Symons of England (9-4) and Allan Soliman (9-2).
The six players in the Losers Bracket – Thorsten Hohmann, Mario Tolentino, Chun Chien-Te, Jerico Banares, Leonardo Didal and Leonardo Andam – will see action Saturday (May 10) to decide who will be the two players to enter the Final Four in Sunday's finale.
contributed by Marlon Bernardino
Thursday, May 8, 2008
ARCHER, DE LUNA FALLS, MANALO CONTINUES HIS WINNING RUN
UNHERALDED Alex Nobleza scored his biggest win with a 9-8 victory over 2006 Doha Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey "The Bull" De Luna, as well former Kuwait house pro player Mario Tolentino shocked former world 9-ball champion Johnny "Scorpion" Archer of the United States, 9-7, to remain unscathed in the on-going $30,000 Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup 10-ball championship held at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.
The victory was the biggest upset so far in this event presented by San Miguel Beer which $10,000 top prize goes to the champion and a slot for this year's World Ten Ball slated on September.
"I just lucky because the ball is in my favor in the end game," said Nobleza, member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who hails from Camarines Sur.
Nobleza who earlier beat James De Leon, 9-4, will square off with Kenj Taguchi of Japan in the next round, winner over Fidel Punzalan, 9-8, and John Carlo Cerna, 9-0, respectively in the event jointly organized by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines and Raya Sports in close cooperation with mayor Benhur Abalos, Brunswick Billiard Table and League Cities of the Philippines.
Tolentino, meanwhile, who start in a right direction with a 9-0 thrashing victory over Jestoni Magadia, 9-0, takes on Bob Flores, who beat Ken Escano, 9-6, and Michael Mengorio, 9-4, in order.
Meanwhile, 2005 WPA World Pool 3rd placer Marlon Manalo beat fellow snooker specialist James Al Ortega, 9-7, to face Gilbert Carbonera in the next round, who demolished Yong Bak Wang of Japan, 9-6.
Manalo first win at the hands of Luis Saberdo, 9-6, while Carbonera nipped Rocky Tullao, 9-7.
Ex-world 9-ball titlist Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany, Gerry Watson of Canada, Satoshi Kawabata ng Japan and Chieh-Te Chung of Taiwan also past their respective second round assignment to remain in the winner's side.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
The victory was the biggest upset so far in this event presented by San Miguel Beer which $10,000 top prize goes to the champion and a slot for this year's World Ten Ball slated on September.
"I just lucky because the ball is in my favor in the end game," said Nobleza, member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who hails from Camarines Sur.
Nobleza who earlier beat James De Leon, 9-4, will square off with Kenj Taguchi of Japan in the next round, winner over Fidel Punzalan, 9-8, and John Carlo Cerna, 9-0, respectively in the event jointly organized by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines and Raya Sports in close cooperation with mayor Benhur Abalos, Brunswick Billiard Table and League Cities of the Philippines.
Tolentino, meanwhile, who start in a right direction with a 9-0 thrashing victory over Jestoni Magadia, 9-0, takes on Bob Flores, who beat Ken Escano, 9-6, and Michael Mengorio, 9-4, in order.
Meanwhile, 2005 WPA World Pool 3rd placer Marlon Manalo beat fellow snooker specialist James Al Ortega, 9-7, to face Gilbert Carbonera in the next round, who demolished Yong Bak Wang of Japan, 9-6.
Manalo first win at the hands of Luis Saberdo, 9-6, while Carbonera nipped Rocky Tullao, 9-7.
Ex-world 9-ball titlist Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany, Gerry Watson of Canada, Satoshi Kawabata ng Japan and Chieh-Te Chung of Taiwan also past their respective second round assignment to remain in the winner's side.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
GABICA, FLORES, TAKANO NOTCH BACK TO BACK WINS
ANTONIO "Ga-Ga' Gabica and unheralded Bob Flores blasted their respective opponents yesterday to remain in the title hunt of the $30,000 Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup ten-ball championship at the Kaban ng Hiyas Building in Mandaluyong City.
Gabica, top player of Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF) who is aiming another title-shot after winning the 2007 San Miguel Corporation Philippine 9-Ball Open beat Richard Rollo, 9-5, in the first round then subdued Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, in the second round while Flores, a relatively unknown in the local pool crushed Ken Escano, 9-6, and Michael Mengorio, 9-4, respectively.
"Kailangan talaga dito ang much more focus at s'yempre dapat pumabor sau ang bola," said the 35-year-old Lapu-Lapu City (Cebu) pride Gabica, who needed to beat former world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes in the semis and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano in the finals to win the 2007 San Miguel Corporation Philippine 9-Ball Open.
Tomoo Takano of Japan also notch back to back wins by demolishing Alvin De Guzman, 9-4, and Elmer "Buddy" Kalaquian, 9-8, respectively, to strengthening his bid in this $10,000 top prize event which is presented by San Miguel Beer in close cooperation with League Cities of the Philippines and hosted by mayor Benhur Abalos. Official billiard table is Brunswick billiard table.
Meanwhile, Marlon Manalo, Jeffrey de Luna, former world 9-ball champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany to follow the foot-step of the opening day winners that includs another ex-world 9-ball champion Johnny Archer of the United States, 2006 Asian Games 8-ball gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan and Chieh-Te Chung of Taiwan.
The 2005 WPA World Pool Championships 3rd placer Manalo, who hails from Mandaluyong City nipped Luis Saberdo, 9-6, De Luna, the 2006 Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist nipped John Berile of France, 9-3, while Hohmann trounced Benigno Lopez De Leon, 9-2, late Tuesday.
In other matches saw, US campaigner Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica and Japan tour stalwart Armando "Agila" Cagol bowed their respective opening assignments.
Mistica from Murphy, Quezon City succumbed to John Carlo Cerna, 9-6, while the Caloocan City based Cagol yielded to Cebu ace John Albert Refulle, 9-5.
Other notable winners in the opening round are James Al Ortega, Gilbert Carbonera, Lester Dulawan, Allan Soliman, Raymond Faraon, Gerry Watson of Canada and Kenji Taguchi and Yong Bak Wang of Japan.
After this stop in Mandaluyong, the Tour will travel to Puerto Princesa in Palawan next month before going to Cebu, Davao, Olongapo and then to Pasay for the final leg, which would sandwich the world tilt in September.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Gabica, top player of Philippine Billiards Development Foundation (PBDF) who is aiming another title-shot after winning the 2007 San Miguel Corporation Philippine 9-Ball Open beat Richard Rollo, 9-5, in the first round then subdued Silverio Tulabing, 9-4, in the second round while Flores, a relatively unknown in the local pool crushed Ken Escano, 9-6, and Michael Mengorio, 9-4, respectively.
"Kailangan talaga dito ang much more focus at s'yempre dapat pumabor sau ang bola," said the 35-year-old Lapu-Lapu City (Cebu) pride Gabica, who needed to beat former world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes in the semis and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano in the finals to win the 2007 San Miguel Corporation Philippine 9-Ball Open.
Tomoo Takano of Japan also notch back to back wins by demolishing Alvin De Guzman, 9-4, and Elmer "Buddy" Kalaquian, 9-8, respectively, to strengthening his bid in this $10,000 top prize event which is presented by San Miguel Beer in close cooperation with League Cities of the Philippines and hosted by mayor Benhur Abalos. Official billiard table is Brunswick billiard table.
Meanwhile, Marlon Manalo, Jeffrey de Luna, former world 9-ball champion Thorsten Hohmann of Germany to follow the foot-step of the opening day winners that includs another ex-world 9-ball champion Johnny Archer of the United States, 2006 Asian Games 8-ball gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan and Chieh-Te Chung of Taiwan.
The 2005 WPA World Pool Championships 3rd placer Manalo, who hails from Mandaluyong City nipped Luis Saberdo, 9-6, De Luna, the 2006 Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist nipped John Berile of France, 9-3, while Hohmann trounced Benigno Lopez De Leon, 9-2, late Tuesday.
In other matches saw, US campaigner Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica and Japan tour stalwart Armando "Agila" Cagol bowed their respective opening assignments.
Mistica from Murphy, Quezon City succumbed to John Carlo Cerna, 9-6, while the Caloocan City based Cagol yielded to Cebu ace John Albert Refulle, 9-5.
Other notable winners in the opening round are James Al Ortega, Gilbert Carbonera, Lester Dulawan, Allan Soliman, Raymond Faraon, Gerry Watson of Canada and Kenji Taguchi and Yong Bak Wang of Japan.
After this stop in Mandaluyong, the Tour will travel to Puerto Princesa in Palawan next month before going to Cebu, Davao, Olongapo and then to Pasay for the final leg, which would sandwich the world tilt in September.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Saturday, May 3, 2008
MANDALUYONG TO ROOT FOR HOMETOWN HERO
The entire city of Mandaluyong will have its own special favorite when the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of the Philippine Pool Tour opens on Tuesday, May 6, at the Kaban ng Hiyas Auditorium.
Although there are other top Filipino players in the stellar cast of the international tournament, the city's heart belongs to Marlon Manalo, a hometown pool hero.
Presented by San Miguel Beer, the Mandaluyong Cup has drawn top international entries, including former world champions Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Johnny Archer of the US, Japanese No. 1 Satoshi Kawabata, and Gerry Watson of Canada.
Nicknamed "Marvelous" by sports media, Manalo has been making waves in international billiards since the start of the 21st century when he took first place in the 2000 Asian Snooker Championship. He is that rare player who excels in both pool and snooker.
From there he took off like a meteor. In 2005, he won the Reno Open and the Texas Hold 'Em Billiards in the US, and then reached the semifinals of the 2005 World Pool Championship in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. In 2006, he placed second in the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship, losing a heartbreaker to Hohmann. Last year, he placed second in the 2nd BSCP National Pool Championship.
Mandaluyong City has lately become a major center for both national and international sports, thanks to the dynamic leadership of Mayor Benhur Abalos. The city was host last April 3-6 to the highly successful Philippine Open of the Asian Golf Tour. It will be hosting a national tennis tournament side by side with the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup.
Other top Filipino players in the PPT inaugural are: reigning Philippine 9-Ball Open champion Antonio "Gaga" Gabica, Manny Pacquiao International and Pool Showdown champion Jeffrey "Bata" de Luna, Leonardo "Rattlesnake" Andam, Elvis Calasang, Leonardo Didal, and Rising Stars Champion Edgar Acaba and Armando "Agila" Cagol.
Registration in the Mandaluyong is still ongoing at Raya Sports office in Makati, and the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City. Deadline for entry is Monday noon, May 5.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
FILIPINO CHAMPIONS LEAD RP BID IN MANDALUYONG CUP
MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES---ANTONIO Gabica and Jeffrey de Luna, reigning titlists of the last two major Philippine tournaments featuring all top Filipino players, will banner the country's bid in the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of the Philippine Pool Tour. Presented by San Miguel Beer, the tournament is slated on May 6-11 in Mandaluyong City.
Gabica topped the 2007 San Miguel Philippine 9-Ball Open in September last year. He beat two former world champions on the way to the title: Efren Reyes in the semifinals, and Ronnie Alcano in the finals. It was the second time he won the Philippine Open. He is also the reigning Asian 9-ball gold medalist.
De Luna topped the Manny Pacquiao International Pool Championship in October last year. He trumped World No.1 Dennis Orcullo in the finals. De Luna is also the Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist. He was also the first Pool Showdown champion last year.
"They are at the top of Philippine pool today on the basis of their records in tournaments in which all noted Filipino players saw action," says June Diokno, executive director of the Philippine Billiards Development Foundation. "Every notable in RP pool – including Django Bustamante – was in those tournaments."
Diokno said that BMPAP doesn't know what it's talking about when it boasts of having all the top players in the country in its fold.
"The BMPAP players came up short against our players in the key tournaments. The only time when one of their players won was in the Quezon City 9-Ball Open last March, which Gabica, de Luna and our other players significantly did not join," he said.
Joining Gabica and de Luna in the Philippine contingent for the Mandaluyong Cup are Marlon Manalo, Elvis Calasang, Mario Tolentino, James Al Ortega, Edgar Acaba, Fidel Punzalan, Leonardo Andam, Leonardo Didal and Armando Cagol.
Manalo, also known as "Marvellous Marlon", is a multi-titled international campaigner. He has won the Reno Open, placed second in the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship, and was a semifinalist in the 2005 World Pool Championship. He is a native of Mandaluyong City.
Calasang, Tolentino and Ortega are recent returnees from stints as club pros in the Middle East. Calasang has reached the quarterfinals and last 32 in the last two world 8-Ball championships in Fujairah, UAE.
"The test of a true champion is competition, not talk," Diokno added. "You can't rest on laurels won long ago. Or on coming up second in the world championship. If the BMPAP players want to prove their worth, let them enter the Mandaluyong Cup and other PPT legs, and meet Gabica, de Luna and other top players from all over the world."
Registration for the Mandaluyong Cup is ongoing at Raya Sports and the Star Billiards Center.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Gabica topped the 2007 San Miguel Philippine 9-Ball Open in September last year. He beat two former world champions on the way to the title: Efren Reyes in the semifinals, and Ronnie Alcano in the finals. It was the second time he won the Philippine Open. He is also the reigning Asian 9-ball gold medalist.
De Luna topped the Manny Pacquiao International Pool Championship in October last year. He trumped World No.1 Dennis Orcullo in the finals. De Luna is also the Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist. He was also the first Pool Showdown champion last year.
"They are at the top of Philippine pool today on the basis of their records in tournaments in which all noted Filipino players saw action," says June Diokno, executive director of the Philippine Billiards Development Foundation. "Every notable in RP pool – including Django Bustamante – was in those tournaments."
Diokno said that BMPAP doesn't know what it's talking about when it boasts of having all the top players in the country in its fold.
"The BMPAP players came up short against our players in the key tournaments. The only time when one of their players won was in the Quezon City 9-Ball Open last March, which Gabica, de Luna and our other players significantly did not join," he said.
Joining Gabica and de Luna in the Philippine contingent for the Mandaluyong Cup are Marlon Manalo, Elvis Calasang, Mario Tolentino, James Al Ortega, Edgar Acaba, Fidel Punzalan, Leonardo Andam, Leonardo Didal and Armando Cagol.
Manalo, also known as "Marvellous Marlon", is a multi-titled international campaigner. He has won the Reno Open, placed second in the IPT North America 8-Ball Championship, and was a semifinalist in the 2005 World Pool Championship. He is a native of Mandaluyong City.
Calasang, Tolentino and Ortega are recent returnees from stints as club pros in the Middle East. Calasang has reached the quarterfinals and last 32 in the last two world 8-Ball championships in Fujairah, UAE.
"The test of a true champion is competition, not talk," Diokno added. "You can't rest on laurels won long ago. Or on coming up second in the world championship. If the BMPAP players want to prove their worth, let them enter the Mandaluyong Cup and other PPT legs, and meet Gabica, de Luna and other top players from all over the world."
Registration for the Mandaluyong Cup is ongoing at Raya Sports and the Star Billiards Center.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
ZERNA BEATS EX-ASIAN GAMES SILVER MEDALIST
NEGROS Billiard Stable (NBS) bet Ricky "Bai" Zerna pounced on 2002 Asian Games 9-ball silver medalist Jeong Young-hwa who committed an unforced error in the final rack to escape a 10-9 decision to advance in the semi-final round of 4th Annual Korea Pro Pool Tour Championships (KPT Championships) at the Novotel Ambassador, Doksan in Seoul, Korea.
Zerna, who is looking to surpass his runner-up finish to eventual champion Charlie "The Dragon "Williams in the last year's Korean Pro Tour event also beat fellow NBS player and former RP junior champion Mark "Big Mc" Mendoza on the way to the final four in this $8,000 top prize event.
"Matapos akong mag dry break sa last rack kala ko matatalo na ako kasi si Jeong Young-hwa na ang tumitira buti na lamang nag error siya (Jeong) sa No.2 ball kaya nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na maubos ang bola," said the Bacolod/ Dumaguete City based Zerna to his benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy in a long distance call late Wednesday.
Prior to his Korean Pro Tour Championships campaign, Zerna demolished World Pool Championship finalist Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, 7-4, in the finals of the 8-ball division to receive the top purse of P50,000 in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Ranking Tour at the Queen Margaret Hotel in Lucena City.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
Zerna, who is looking to surpass his runner-up finish to eventual champion Charlie "The Dragon "Williams in the last year's Korean Pro Tour event also beat fellow NBS player and former RP junior champion Mark "Big Mc" Mendoza on the way to the final four in this $8,000 top prize event.
"Matapos akong mag dry break sa last rack kala ko matatalo na ako kasi si Jeong Young-hwa na ang tumitira buti na lamang nag error siya (Jeong) sa No.2 ball kaya nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na maubos ang bola," said the Bacolod/ Dumaguete City based Zerna to his benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy in a long distance call late Wednesday.
Prior to his Korean Pro Tour Championships campaign, Zerna demolished World Pool Championship finalist Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, 7-4, in the finals of the 8-ball division to receive the top purse of P50,000 in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) Ranking Tour at the Queen Margaret Hotel in Lucena City.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
REIGNING ASIAN GAMES 8-BALL CHAMPION SEEING ACTION IN MANDALUYONG BILLIARDS CUP
SATOSHI Kawabata, Japan's No. 1 player and current Asian Games 8-Ball champion, led three other Japanese players in registering for the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup slated to start on Tuesday, May 6, at the Mandaluyong Atrium and Kaban ng Hiyas Auditorium.
With San Miguel Beer as major sponsor, the inaugural tournament of the Philippine Pool Tour has already drawn entries from various regions of the world.
The other Japanese entries are Tomoo Takano, Kenji Taguchi and Mori Manabu. Kawabata and Takano played in the 2007 World Pool Championship last November.
Chang Chien-Te of Chinese Taipei also filed his entry yesterday. He is the first of a handful of Taiwanese players who will be joining the tournament according to the Asian Pocket Billiards Union (APBU).
Not to be outdone, players from Europe and North America have registered for the Mandaluyong Cup. The latest are Jan Berille of France and Gerry Watson of Canada.
Earlier, former world champions Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Johnny Archer of the United States confirmed their attendance by email.
The foreign pros will pit their skills against a score of notable Filipino players who have already signed up. They include Marlon Manalo, a Mandaluyong native with a string of international titles to his name; Antonio Gabica, reigning Philippine Open champion and Asian gold medalist; and Jeffrey de Luna, winner of the Manny Pacquiao International Pool Championship last November.
Making his debut in international competition is Jericho Banares, the newly crowned 2008 Philippine Junior Pool Champion. "Jericho is ready for the big time," says Sol Gueco, PPT tour director.
Other Filipino cue artists contending for the $30,000 in prize money are: Elvis Calasang, Leonardo Andam, Leonardo Didal, Fidel Punzalan, James Al Ortega.
From Cebu, Mike Hilton fielded yesterday seven players who are figure to create some surprises in the tournament. Billing themselves as "Team Hilton", they are: Noel Causing, Marvin Gentapa, John Albert Refulle, Oliver Yap, Mellari Baguio, Antonio Cosi, and Florencio Banar (playing coach of the group).
The Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup is a joint project of the Mandaluyong City government led by Mayor Benhur Abalos and the Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
With San Miguel Beer as major sponsor, the inaugural tournament of the Philippine Pool Tour has already drawn entries from various regions of the world.
The other Japanese entries are Tomoo Takano, Kenji Taguchi and Mori Manabu. Kawabata and Takano played in the 2007 World Pool Championship last November.
Chang Chien-Te of Chinese Taipei also filed his entry yesterday. He is the first of a handful of Taiwanese players who will be joining the tournament according to the Asian Pocket Billiards Union (APBU).
Not to be outdone, players from Europe and North America have registered for the Mandaluyong Cup. The latest are Jan Berille of France and Gerry Watson of Canada.
Earlier, former world champions Thorsten Hohmann of Germany and Johnny Archer of the United States confirmed their attendance by email.
The foreign pros will pit their skills against a score of notable Filipino players who have already signed up. They include Marlon Manalo, a Mandaluyong native with a string of international titles to his name; Antonio Gabica, reigning Philippine Open champion and Asian gold medalist; and Jeffrey de Luna, winner of the Manny Pacquiao International Pool Championship last November.
Making his debut in international competition is Jericho Banares, the newly crowned 2008 Philippine Junior Pool Champion. "Jericho is ready for the big time," says Sol Gueco, PPT tour director.
Other Filipino cue artists contending for the $30,000 in prize money are: Elvis Calasang, Leonardo Andam, Leonardo Didal, Fidel Punzalan, James Al Ortega.
From Cebu, Mike Hilton fielded yesterday seven players who are figure to create some surprises in the tournament. Billing themselves as "Team Hilton", they are: Noel Causing, Marvin Gentapa, John Albert Refulle, Oliver Yap, Mellari Baguio, Antonio Cosi, and Florencio Banar (playing coach of the group).
The Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup is a joint project of the Mandaluyong City government led by Mayor Benhur Abalos and the Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
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