TWO reigning world champions, two winners in qualifying events, and the European number one women's player are the first to secure guaranteed spots in the inaugural WPA World Ten Ball Championship scheduled on September 29 to October 5 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.
The five are Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, Ralf Soquet of Germany, Daryl Peach of England, Wu Chai-Ching of Chinese Taipei, and Antonio Gabica of the Philippines.
Ouschan secured her spot by virtue of her ranking as the top women's player in Europe and a direct invitation from the WPA. She is widely regarded as the top women's straight pool player in the world. She placed fifth in the 2006 World Straight Pool Championship featuring both men and women players.
Playing in the inaugural WTBC fulfills a major personal goal. She says: "My goal is to be one of the best players in the world and also to try to challenge the best male players in the world."
She will have much to challenge in the male players who have already secured spots in the WTBC.
Soquet earned his spot as the reigning WPA World 8-Ball Champion, which he won in Fujairah, UAE, last April. He has been a consistent top-five player in the world for the past five years.
Peach got his spot as the reigning WPA World 9-Ball Champion. He won the 2007 title in Manila last November.
Wu and Gabica are the first two winners of the WTBC qualifying events held under the Philippine Pool Tour.
Wu, a double world champion for 8-ball and 9-ball in 2005, won the Puerto Princesa Mayor's Cup of the PPT last June 17-22 in Puerto Princesa City.
Gabica, the reigning Philippine Open champion and Asian Games gold medalist, won the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup of the PPT last May 6-11 in Mandaluyong City.
Meanwhile, the qualifying of players for the WTBC under the WPA allocation system is currently ongoing. The majority of spots go to the continental associations. The rest are allocated for qualifying events and wild cards. Players interested in joining the WTBC are enjoined to contact their continental and national associations for information about how they can secure spots in the championship.
The Distribution of spots are as follows:
APBU - Asia 30
BCA - North America 14
EPBF - Europe 40
OPBA - Oceania 4
South America 4
AAPA - Africa 2
Spots for Women Players 7
WPA World Champions 3
Spots for Qualifying Events 14
Spots for Tour Events 4
Wild Cards 6
Total 128
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Sunday, August 3, 2008
"BEBENG" GALLEGO EYES REPEAT IN VILLAR CUP BUT WILL FIRST PLAY IN JAPAN CUP
JAPAN based Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego tries to make two in a row when the first Senate President Manny Villar Cup goes to Davao City on August 21 to 23 at the Gaisano Mall.
The 41-year-old stalwart of rising Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy defeated former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante in the semis, 10-9, then subdued La Union bet Carlo "Cool" Biado, 11-7, in the finals to rule the third leg of the Villar Cup over the weekend at the Event Center of SM City Marilao.
"Sana maidepensa ko ang aking titulo sa Davao leg bg Villar Cup, alam kong mahirap pero gagawin ko ang aking best," said the five-times Japan Champion, who also the 2006 SMB Asian 9-ball tour titlist.
"Bilang paghahanda ay pupunta ako sa Miyerkoles (today) sa Japan para sa isang exhibition match bago babalik ako sa August 18 para sa Villar Cup sa Davao City," said Gallego in an exclusive interview with this writer during the birthday celebration of the daughter of his NBS stablemate Warren "Warrior" Kiamco last Monday at the Kiamco's residential home in Commonwealth, Quezon City, interestingly coincide the State of the Nation (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The first two leg of Villar Cup are dominated by Kiamco (Alabang leg) and Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle (Cebu leg).
NBS head coach Christopher "Toper" Palses said "Malaki ang paniniwala ko na malaki ang chance na mag world champion si Bebeng (Ramil Gallego) dahil nakita ko sa kanya ang dedikasyon sa larong bilyar,"
Gallego, who is fresh from winning the 14-1 Championships in Japan before the Marialo Leg of Villar Cup also schedule to compete in the longest-running and prestigious US Open 9-Ball Championship along with Kiamco, national champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza and newest hottest sensation Ricky "Bai" Zerna, top player of the NBS squad to be held on October 19 to 25 at the Chesapeake, Virginia in the United States.
" Target ko talaga ang US Open, gusto kong mapaganda ang performance ko sa taong ito kaya malaking tulong ang paglalaro natin sa Japan Circuit at sa Villar Cup," last word of Gallego, who needed an 11 in a row from the loser's brackets enable him to finish at 5th place in the last year's edition of US 9-ball Open.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
The 41-year-old stalwart of rising Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy defeated former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante in the semis, 10-9, then subdued La Union bet Carlo "Cool" Biado, 11-7, in the finals to rule the third leg of the Villar Cup over the weekend at the Event Center of SM City Marilao.
"Sana maidepensa ko ang aking titulo sa Davao leg bg Villar Cup, alam kong mahirap pero gagawin ko ang aking best," said the five-times Japan Champion, who also the 2006 SMB Asian 9-ball tour titlist.
"Bilang paghahanda ay pupunta ako sa Miyerkoles (today) sa Japan para sa isang exhibition match bago babalik ako sa August 18 para sa Villar Cup sa Davao City," said Gallego in an exclusive interview with this writer during the birthday celebration of the daughter of his NBS stablemate Warren "Warrior" Kiamco last Monday at the Kiamco's residential home in Commonwealth, Quezon City, interestingly coincide the State of the Nation (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The first two leg of Villar Cup are dominated by Kiamco (Alabang leg) and Gandy "Yang-Yang" Valle (Cebu leg).
NBS head coach Christopher "Toper" Palses said "Malaki ang paniniwala ko na malaki ang chance na mag world champion si Bebeng (Ramil Gallego) dahil nakita ko sa kanya ang dedikasyon sa larong bilyar,"
Gallego, who is fresh from winning the 14-1 Championships in Japan before the Marialo Leg of Villar Cup also schedule to compete in the longest-running and prestigious US Open 9-Ball Championship along with Kiamco, national champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza and newest hottest sensation Ricky "Bai" Zerna, top player of the NBS squad to be held on October 19 to 25 at the Chesapeake, Virginia in the United States.
" Target ko talaga ang US Open, gusto kong mapaganda ang performance ko sa taong ito kaya malaking tulong ang paglalaro natin sa Japan Circuit at sa Villar Cup," last word of Gallego, who needed an 11 in a row from the loser's brackets enable him to finish at 5th place in the last year's edition of US 9-ball Open.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
JOSE PARICA REGAINS HIS OLD DEADLY FORM, TOPS STRAIGHT POOL CHAMPIONSHIPS
JOSE "AMANG" PARICA regained his old deadly form beating Mexican Oscar Dominguez, 125-117, in the finals to rule the just concluded 14.1 Straight Pool Championships at the famous Hard Times Billiards in California, United States recently.
The West Covina based Parica, acknowledge the leader of the Filipino invasion in the US Pool circuit in the mid 80's pocketed the top prize of $1,200 for dominating the 45 players field. Dominguez, on the other hand settled runner-up purse of $525 for his effort. Another Filipino entry Danny Petralba landed at 12th place finish.
According to AZ billiards.com, the match went back and forth with safety battles and come from behind runs. At one point Parica had the lead in the 14 rack with a score of 111-67 when, all of a sudden, Parica with a 37 ball run to bring the score to 111-104. In the 17th rack Dominguez was not able to spread the rack and was forced to play safe. Safety battles were exchanged as well as fouls (intentional and unintentional). Eventually, Parica was able to squeak by with the win 125-117.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO.
The West Covina based Parica, acknowledge the leader of the Filipino invasion in the US Pool circuit in the mid 80's pocketed the top prize of $1,200 for dominating the 45 players field. Dominguez, on the other hand settled runner-up purse of $525 for his effort. Another Filipino entry Danny Petralba landed at 12th place finish.
According to AZ billiards.com, the match went back and forth with safety battles and come from behind runs. At one point Parica had the lead in the 14 rack with a score of 111-67 when, all of a sudden, Parica with a 37 ball run to bring the score to 111-104. In the 17th rack Dominguez was not able to spread the rack and was forced to play safe. Safety battles were exchanged as well as fouls (intentional and unintentional). Eventually, Parica was able to squeak by with the win 125-117.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO.
PAGULAYAN BEATS ORCOLLO, THE LION ROAR'S IN GUINNESS 9-BALL
ALEX PAGULAYAN sealed last night his status as Number 1 in Philippine pool with a masterful 11-6 victory over compatriot World No.1 Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo in the finals of Guinness 9 Ball Tour 2008 at the Velocity@Novena Square in Singapore.
With the victory, became the first to be officially proclaimed as Filipino Guinness 9-ball pool champion under the title sponsor of Guinness, an Irish stout beer, who replace former title sponsor San Miguel Beer. He adds the title to a long list that now includes the 2004 World Pool Championship, the 2005 US Open Championship, three gold medals in the December 2005 SEA Games, 2006 BSCP National Pool Championship and the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters. He also took home a cool $15,000 (P675,000) in prize.
"At last" commented the 30-year-old Pagulayan, one of the top players of Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, acknowledged Philippine Billiards God Father.
Orcollo, who is fresh from winning the first Qatar World 9-Ball this month settle runner-up prize of $6,000 (270,000).
The Bislig, Surigao del Sur ace nipped Yang Ching Shun of Chinese Taipei, 9 – 8, in a scintillating semi-final match yesterday to set up an all-Filipino clash in the finals with Pagulayan, who won earlier over Wu Chia Ching of Chinese Taipei, 9 – 6.
The last time a Filipino won a title on the Tour, formerly SMB Asian 9-ball tour organized by ESPN STAR Sports was in 2006 when Efren "Bata" Reyes beat Ricky Yang in Jakarta, Indonesia. This also marks the first time since Lee Van Corteza defeated Francisco "Django" Bustamante in Manila in 2004 that two Filipinos will battle for the crown.
The Chinese Taipei players previously dominated the Tour as the swept all six legs last year and the first three legs this year.
Up for grabs in the Singapore leg is a total prize purse of US$50,000 as well as points to qualify for the Tour's Grand Final in Jakarta, which will feature the Top Ten players in the overall Order of Merit. The winners of each leg will get to earn US$15,000 while the Grand Final Champion will pocket US$36,000. In addition, the Tour's Top 10 players will also automatically qualify for pool's most prestigious event, the 2008 WPA World Pool Championships later his year. The Guinness 9-Ball Tour remains the only ranking tour in Asia for players to qualify for the WPA World Pool Championship.
Following stops in Chinese-Taipei, Penang, Genting Highlands and Singapore, the six-city Tour will have its penultimate leg in Guangzhou in September before heading to Jakarta for the Grand Finals in October.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
With the victory, became the first to be officially proclaimed as Filipino Guinness 9-ball pool champion under the title sponsor of Guinness, an Irish stout beer, who replace former title sponsor San Miguel Beer. He adds the title to a long list that now includes the 2004 World Pool Championship, the 2005 US Open Championship, three gold medals in the December 2005 SEA Games, 2006 BSCP National Pool Championship and the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters. He also took home a cool $15,000 (P675,000) in prize.
"At last" commented the 30-year-old Pagulayan, one of the top players of Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, acknowledged Philippine Billiards God Father.
Orcollo, who is fresh from winning the first Qatar World 9-Ball this month settle runner-up prize of $6,000 (270,000).
The Bislig, Surigao del Sur ace nipped Yang Ching Shun of Chinese Taipei, 9 – 8, in a scintillating semi-final match yesterday to set up an all-Filipino clash in the finals with Pagulayan, who won earlier over Wu Chia Ching of Chinese Taipei, 9 – 6.
The last time a Filipino won a title on the Tour, formerly SMB Asian 9-ball tour organized by ESPN STAR Sports was in 2006 when Efren "Bata" Reyes beat Ricky Yang in Jakarta, Indonesia. This also marks the first time since Lee Van Corteza defeated Francisco "Django" Bustamante in Manila in 2004 that two Filipinos will battle for the crown.
The Chinese Taipei players previously dominated the Tour as the swept all six legs last year and the first three legs this year.
Up for grabs in the Singapore leg is a total prize purse of US$50,000 as well as points to qualify for the Tour's Grand Final in Jakarta, which will feature the Top Ten players in the overall Order of Merit. The winners of each leg will get to earn US$15,000 while the Grand Final Champion will pocket US$36,000. In addition, the Tour's Top 10 players will also automatically qualify for pool's most prestigious event, the 2008 WPA World Pool Championships later his year. The Guinness 9-Ball Tour remains the only ranking tour in Asia for players to qualify for the WPA World Pool Championship.
Following stops in Chinese-Taipei, Penang, Genting Highlands and Singapore, the six-city Tour will have its penultimate leg in Guangzhou in September before heading to Jakarta for the Grand Finals in October.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
CORTEZA SHOOT MONEY RICH $1M 9-BALL SHOOT-OUT
REIGNING National Pool Champion Lee Vann Corteza will lead the assault of a strong Philippine contingent as the money rich Milliondollar9ballshootout gets underway on August 6-10 at Valley Forge Convention Center in Pennsylvania, United States.
Fondly called "The Slayer" in the pool arena, the 29-year-old pride of Davao City is eyeing his biggest win in his entire billiard career when he mix it up against world's best in this $1 M total purse where the champion getting the lion share of $150,000.
"I hope to perform well in this event," said Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) top player Corteza, also the 2006 All Japan Champion titlist enroute $20,000, his biggest pay check so far.
Other notable Filipino bets competing here are former world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes and Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Mandaluyong bet Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo and Macalelon, Quezon province native Santos "The Saint" Sambajon.
Host country will parade the likes of another world 9-ball titlist Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer and US Open 9-ball winner Shane "The South Dakota Kid" Van Boening, among others.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Fondly called "The Slayer" in the pool arena, the 29-year-old pride of Davao City is eyeing his biggest win in his entire billiard career when he mix it up against world's best in this $1 M total purse where the champion getting the lion share of $150,000.
"I hope to perform well in this event," said Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) top player Corteza, also the 2006 All Japan Champion titlist enroute $20,000, his biggest pay check so far.
Other notable Filipino bets competing here are former world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes and Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Mandaluyong bet Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo and Macalelon, Quezon province native Santos "The Saint" Sambajon.
Host country will parade the likes of another world 9-ball titlist Johnny "The Scorpion" Archer and US Open 9-ball winner Shane "The South Dakota Kid" Van Boening, among others.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
LINING, ESQUILLO, FIVE OTHERS IN JAPAN 9-BALL
FILIPINO pool wizards Antonio "Nikoy" Lining and Roel Esquillo along five others cue artists will see action in some series of tournament in Japan starting next week.
The duo (Lining and Esquillo) will play in the 2008 Japan Big Bang Cup 9-Ball Tournament in Tokyo on July 27 along with veteran internationalists Eduardo "Tisoy" Saracho, Crisencio "Ato" Baliton, Miguel Jojo Bermudez, Arnold Ignacio and Rolando Campana.
Lining, the pride of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro is the 2007 14.1 championships kingpin while the Japan-based Esquillo, who made it to the quarterfinals in this year's Japan Open which was dominated by compatriots World No.1 Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, respectively.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO.
The duo (Lining and Esquillo) will play in the 2008 Japan Big Bang Cup 9-Ball Tournament in Tokyo on July 27 along with veteran internationalists Eduardo "Tisoy" Saracho, Crisencio "Ato" Baliton, Miguel Jojo Bermudez, Arnold Ignacio and Rolando Campana.
Lining, the pride of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro is the 2007 14.1 championships kingpin while the Japan-based Esquillo, who made it to the quarterfinals in this year's Japan Open which was dominated by compatriots World No.1 Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, respectively.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO.
WORLD NO. 1 ORCOLLO AIMS TO END TAIWAN'S GUINNESS STREAK
DENNIS ORCOLLO seeks to continue his hot streak as the reigning world No.1 mixes it up with 23 other top Asian cue artists in the fourth leg of the six-city tour of the Guinness 9-Ball Tour that kicks off on July 25 to 27 at the Velocity@Novena Square in Singapore.
Fresh from winning the inaugural World 9 Ball Open in Qatar this month, Orcollo, playing under the banner of Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), will be joined in the five-man Philippine squad by world number six Joven "The Shark" Bustamante, Genting leg runner-up Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, Philippine Junior Pool champion Jericho Bañares and 2004 World Pool Champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan. The Filipinos last claimed victory in 2006.
"I feel great about joining the Guinness 9 Ball Tour again and being ranked world number one definitely added to my self confidence. At the same time, it gives me pressure because I know that people are watching, and I have to live up to my being world number one," said Orcollo, fondly called Robocop in the pool world.
"All the participants in the Guinness 9 Ball Tour are good and the players from Chinese-Taipei obviously dominate this tour, but wherever I go I do my best and focus on winning. I want to bring honour to my country, so it will be a challenge to defeat the players from Chinese-Taipei this leg," added the petite Orcollo, how hails from Bislig, Surigao del Sur who also topped the First San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship and the Japan 9-Ball Open last March.
Orcollo previously joined the second leg in Penang, Malaysia, but was ousted in the group stage by Taiwanese rival Yang Ching-Shun who also beat him in the their one-one-one encounter last year's Yang-Orcollo in Gateway Mall in the event organized by ESPN STAR Sports.
Defending Grand Finals champion Chang Jung-Lin of Chinese-Taipei is still the man to beat as he conquered the 2008 Tour's first three legs in Chinese-Taipei, Penang and Genting Highlands
The seemingly unbeatable Chang now holds the Tour record for most consecutive legs won with four titles, including last year's Finals. Chang, who surpassed the legendary Efren Reyes' record, spearheads the dominant Chinese-Taipei contingent, which comprises of 2007 Singapore leg winner Yang Ching-Shun, 2008 Penang leg runner-up Wang Hung-Hsiang and 2005 WPA World Pool Champion Wu Chia-Ching.
Players from host Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, India and Indonesia are also expected to get a crack at the title and earn valuable ranking points. The 24 participants will be assigned to eight groups following the draw that will be conducted on July 24 at Velocity.
At stake in the Singapore leg is a total prize purse of US$50,000 as well as points to qualify for the Tour's Grand Final in Jakarta, which will feature the Top Ten players in the overall Order of Merit. The winners of each leg will get to earn US$15,000 while the Grand Final Champion will pocket US$36,000.
Following Singapore, the Tour will have its penultimate leg in Guangzhou in September before heading to Jakarta for the Grand Finals in October.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
Fresh from winning the inaugural World 9 Ball Open in Qatar this month, Orcollo, playing under the banner of Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), will be joined in the five-man Philippine squad by world number six Joven "The Shark" Bustamante, Genting leg runner-up Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, Philippine Junior Pool champion Jericho Bañares and 2004 World Pool Champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan. The Filipinos last claimed victory in 2006.
"I feel great about joining the Guinness 9 Ball Tour again and being ranked world number one definitely added to my self confidence. At the same time, it gives me pressure because I know that people are watching, and I have to live up to my being world number one," said Orcollo, fondly called Robocop in the pool world.
"All the participants in the Guinness 9 Ball Tour are good and the players from Chinese-Taipei obviously dominate this tour, but wherever I go I do my best and focus on winning. I want to bring honour to my country, so it will be a challenge to defeat the players from Chinese-Taipei this leg," added the petite Orcollo, how hails from Bislig, Surigao del Sur who also topped the First San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship and the Japan 9-Ball Open last March.
Orcollo previously joined the second leg in Penang, Malaysia, but was ousted in the group stage by Taiwanese rival Yang Ching-Shun who also beat him in the their one-one-one encounter last year's Yang-Orcollo in Gateway Mall in the event organized by ESPN STAR Sports.
Defending Grand Finals champion Chang Jung-Lin of Chinese-Taipei is still the man to beat as he conquered the 2008 Tour's first three legs in Chinese-Taipei, Penang and Genting Highlands
The seemingly unbeatable Chang now holds the Tour record for most consecutive legs won with four titles, including last year's Finals. Chang, who surpassed the legendary Efren Reyes' record, spearheads the dominant Chinese-Taipei contingent, which comprises of 2007 Singapore leg winner Yang Ching-Shun, 2008 Penang leg runner-up Wang Hung-Hsiang and 2005 WPA World Pool Champion Wu Chia-Ching.
Players from host Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, India and Indonesia are also expected to get a crack at the title and earn valuable ranking points. The 24 participants will be assigned to eight groups following the draw that will be conducted on July 24 at Velocity.
At stake in the Singapore leg is a total prize purse of US$50,000 as well as points to qualify for the Tour's Grand Final in Jakarta, which will feature the Top Ten players in the overall Order of Merit. The winners of each leg will get to earn US$15,000 while the Grand Final Champion will pocket US$36,000.
Following Singapore, the Tour will have its penultimate leg in Guangzhou in September before heading to Jakarta for the Grand Finals in October.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO
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