DJANGO TRIPS APPLETON IN US OPEN 9-BALL

3 other Filpinos strike

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:19:00 10/24/2008


MANILA, Philippines—Francisco “Django” Bustamante humbled England’s newly crowned World 10-Ball champion Darren Appleton, 11-6, Thursday to lead three other Filipinos in the winners’ bracket of the 33rd Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship at the Chesapeake Convention Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

With four straight victories in as many rounds like Bustamante, the 2007 US Pro Tour champion, are two-time world titlist Ronnie Alcano, Lee Vann Corteza and United States-based Jose “Amang” Parica.

The victory shoved the 44-year-old Bustamante into a fifth-round encounter with unheralded Oscar Dominguez, boosting the Filipino’s title chances in the $250,000 event topped by fellow Puyat Sports stalwarts Efren “Bata” Reyes in 1994 and Alex Pagulayan in 2005.

Also boosting their bid for the $40,000 top purse were Alcano, who bested Canadian Tyler Edey, 11-8, and Corteza, who pipped American Shannon Daulton, 11-9.

Either Alcano of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions or Corteza, star of the Negros Billiards Stable, however, is certain to slide to the one-loss side as they are paired in the fifth round.

Parica, still a force to reckon with at 62, downed Marcus Chamat of Sweden, 11-9. The leader of the Filipino players’ invasion of the US Tour in the 1980s forged a showdown with defending champion Shane Van Boening, who beat compatriot Charlie Williams, 11-6.

Other Filipinos still in contention from the losers’ bracket at presstime were Warren Kiamco, Rodolfo Luat and Ramil Gallego. They, however, need to hurdle every rival to stay alive.

Also unscathed entering the fifth round are former world champions Mika Immonen, Thorsten Hohmann and Johnny Archer, Rodney Morris, Adam Smith, Shawn Putnam, Brandon Shuff, Raj Hundal and Petri Makkonen.

Lifted without permission from Phil. Daily Inquirer (www.inquirer.net)

ALCANO, BUSTAMANTE LEAD R.P. SURGE IN U.S. 9-BALL

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:34:00 10/22/2008


MANILA, Philippines—Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano and Former world No. 1Francisco “Django” Bustamante hurdled separate rivals Monday and towed five other Filipinos into the third round of the 33rd US Open 9-Ball Championship at the Chesapeake Convention Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Also keeping the Philippine bid rolling in the prestigious $250,000 event are veteran internationalist Rodolfo Luat, four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Warren Kiamco, Lee Vann Corteza, Ramil Gallego and United States-based Jose “Amang” Parica.

Determined to better his runner-up finish in last year’s edition, Alcano, stalwart of Bugsy Promotions, routed American Matt Clatterbuck, 11-4, while Bustamante of Puyat Sports subdued Keith Brinton, 11-8.

Kiamco trounced Jason Klatt, 11-5, while Luat dumped Don Polo, 11-2, for their second straight victories in the tournament that attracted 238 players from around the world.

Corteza, who drew a first-round bye, opened his campaign with an 11-5 blasting of Abdullah El-Yousef, while fellow Negros Billiards Stable standout Gallego followed up his 11-3 conquest of Sam Monday in the opening round by nipping former champion Gabe Owen, 11-9.

Save for Parica, who also drew a first-round bye before thwarting Aki Heiskanen, 11-9, all Filipino winners are members of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines.

The tournament, which dangles $40,000 for the champion, was won in 1999 by Efren “Bata” Reyes and in 2005 by Alex Pagulayan.

Not as fortunate were Leonardo Andam and Joven Alba. Andam bowed to Finn Markus Juva, 11-8, while Alba yielded to Englishman Chris Melling, in the first round.

Andam and Alba dropped to the losers’ bracket, where they need to sweep their remaining games to stay in contention.

Other big guns who barged into the third stage of the winners’ side are reigning world 9-ball titlist Darryl Peach of England, former world champion Mika Immonen of Finland, four-time US Open champion Earl Strickland, world No. 2 Niels Feijen of the Netherlands and Charlie Williams of the United States.

Peach downed Nasser Al-Musaible, 11-7; Immonen blanked Greg McAndrew 11-0; Strickland, beat Tariq Al-mulla, 11-5; Feijen drubbed Josh Ulrich, 11-4; and Williams thumped Elias Patrikas of Greece, 11-1.

Lifted without permission from the Philippines Daily Inquirer

ANNOUNCEMENT BY: STAR BILLIARDS CENTER

STAR BILLIARDS CENTER, located at No.46 Joy Street, Grace Village in Quezon City, Philippines, wishes to promote billiards in our country. As such, Star Billiards Center, equipped with 22 Brunswick tables, with world class facility is now offering to top 1,000 corporations and associations FREE use of their Billiards Center for company tournaments and offers the following services:

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7) FREE ball polishing service for Aramith ball only, using 4 USA highspeed ball polishing machines (cleans 16 balls at a time in 10 minutes)

8) FREE cue stick name engraving for Predator Cues to identify your own cue stick

9) FREE Johnson's baby powder

10) FREE waterproof sandpaper (rough or smooth)

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contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

WEEKLY 9-BALL TOURNAMENT SET ON OCTOBER 25

THE first-ever weekly 9-ball tournament gets first rack on October 25 at the E-Lanes Bowling and Billiards Center in E-Square Building, Ortigas Avenue in Greenhills, San Juan.

According to tournament director Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica, the Every Saturday 9-ball tournament is open to all country' cue artists with the champion getting the lion share of P1,000 plus trophy. Second place pockets P500 plus trophy while 3rd and 4th will bring home P250 each.

For inquiries, call or text Mr. Monching Mistica at mobile no. (0919) 558-7634 for complete details.

Meanwhile, all is set the staging of second leg of Billiards Stars Search gets underway on November 5 to 9 at the famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City.

Defending champion Elvis Calasang lead the cast along with reigning national champion Marlon Manalo, Antonio Gabica, Jeffrey de Luna, Mario Tolentino, Victor Arpilleda, Edgar Acaba, Leonardo Didal and reigning RP Junior champion Jerico Banares in Division A.

The four (A, B, C and D) divisional event organized by Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines in close cooperation with Raya Sports, Philippines Billiards Foundation and Star Billiards Center.

The game is a Ten Ball WPA rules using the winner's break format. Entry fee is P400. Prizes cash, trophies and in kind are up for grabs.. Register now at Star Billiards Center, tel.no. 364-6041, 0917-888-8888, Rizal Memorial Center, tel.0928-744-1740, or Raya Sports, tel.895-2021.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

NICE BRACKETS FOR THE FILIPINOS IN US OPEN 9-BALL OPEN

The eleven (11) Filipino campaigners in the US Open 9-Ball don't have to eliminate each other at the start last night of 33rd Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

With this, Filipinos have a better chance to bring home the over-all championship trophy.

Jose "Amang" Parica, acknowledged the leader of the Filipino invasion in the US in mid 80's landed in Winner's Side 1 and took a bye to advance in the next round. Compatriot Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, who is aiming to surpass his runner-up finish two years ago will go up against Louis Ulrich.

Japan based Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, Leonardo "The Rattle Snake" Andam, Joven Alba and Danny Petralba were Grouped in Winner's Side 2.

Gallego will face Sam Monday, Andam takes on Marcus Juva, Petralba opposite Raj Hundal and Alba will meet Chris Melling.

Edwin Montal is lone Filipino in Winner's Side 3 and will square off with Petri Makkonen.

Former World No.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza took a bye in their opening matches in Winner's Side 4.

Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, who was a runner-up to American Shane "The South Dakota Kid" van Boening last year, is hoping to become the third Filipino to win the prestigious event after Pool Maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes (1994) and Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (2005), will face versus Mike Brown in the opener.

236 players from all over the world for the guaranteed total prize of $250,000, including the champion purse of $40,000 seeing in action in this longest running 9-ball tournament in the United States.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

BUSTAMANTE, ALCANO, CORTEZA HEADS RP CUE ARTISTS IN US OPEN 9-BALL

FILIPINOS Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza spearheads the Philippine campaign at the start today of the 33rd Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Joining them in the longest running 9-ball event in the United States are countrymen Jose "Amang" Parica, Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo, Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco, Rodolfo "Boy Samson" Luat, Santos "The Saint" Sambajon and Joven Alba in mixing up with the field of close to 300 players from all over the world for the guaranteed total prize of $250,000, including the champion purse of $40,000.

Alcano, who was a runner-up to American Shane "The South Dakota Kid" van Boening last year, is hoping to become the third Filipino to win the prestigious event after Pool Maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes (1994) and Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (2005).

Luat, on the other hand settled for second place to American John Schmidt in the 2006 edition.

Aside from defending champion van Boening, four current world champions from Europe are also competing in the US Open 9-ball. They are Daryl Peach (2007 WPA World Nine-Ball Champion) and Darren "Dynamite" Appleton (2008 WPA World Ten-Ball Champion) of Great Britain, Ralf "Kaiser" Souquet (2008 WPA World Eight-Ball Champion) of Germany and Niels "The Terminator" Feijen (2008 WPA World Straight Pool-14.1 Champion) of the Netherlands.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO

APPLETON BEATS WU, TOPS WORLD TEN BALL

DARREN Appleton of Great Britain beat former two-time world champion (WPA 9-ball and WPA 8-ball) Wu Chia-ching of Chinese-Taipei, 13-11, in convincing fashion to win the inauguraL WPA World Ten Ball Championship at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, last October 5, 2008.

Appleton led the match most of the way surprising many as Wu was a big favorite in this $400,000 total pot prize event.

Appleton raced from a 3-0 to 6-1 to 10-5 commanding lead. Appleton pocketed the $100,000 top purse, while Wu earned $40,000.

Actually by winning the World Ten Ball event, Appleton established the European domination of major pool events where compatriot Daryl Peach of Great Britain won the 2007 WPA World 9-Ball Championship, Ralf Souquet of Germany ruled the 2008 WPA World 8-Ball, and Niels Feijen of the Netherlands took the WPA World Straight Pool/ 14.1 Championship


"PLONG-PLONG" PULPUL COULDN'T BELIEVE IT

AT the conclusion of the inaugural World Ten Ball Championship, a new billiard sensation has risen. Demosthenes "Plong-Plong" Pulpul couldn't believe what happened in a span of two weeks.

"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa s'werte ko," he said following his fourth place finish in the World Ten Ball Championship. He certainly wished for a better ending, but Pulpul is one contented soul right now.

The 23-year-old from Cagayan De Oro City turned from zero to hero in a span of two weeks.

After topping one of the qualifying rounds, Pulpul proceeded to become the best Filipino finisher in the biggest pool tournament in the world this year. He earned $15,000 (roughly P700,000) for his effort.

Part of his prize would be used for the baptism of his newly-born daughter Kishalyn. "Excited na akong makita ang pamilya ko, lalo na ang bagong baby namin," Pulpul said.

Kishalyn was born on September 24. Two days later, Pulpul earned his place in the main draw of WTBC. "Lucky charm ko 'yung baby namin. Mas naging inspirado ako na maglaro ng mabuti dahil lumalaki na ang pamilya ko."

Pulpul had a chance to get a bigger paycheck, but folded down the stretch against Niels Feijen of the Netherlands. Unlike his semifinal loss to Wu Chia-ching, Pulpul got his game going early against Feijen.

He raced to a 5-3 lead and was at the table going for a three-rack cushion. But an unforced error on the rack let Feijen back on the table and start a four-rack run.
Feijen himself believes Pulpul has a great future ahead of him.
The reigning straight pool champion noted that Pulpul's shotmaking ability "is at-par with the best of them."

"He just needs more exposure in big tournaments," Feijen said. Pulpul won his first six matches in the tournament. He beat Mohd Ali Al Bin of Qatar, 9-2, and Taiwanese ace Yang Ching-shun, 9-8, in group play.

On his way to the semifinals, Pulpul edged top ranked lady player Jasmin Ouschan of Austria, 9-8, toppled Kazuo Furuta of Japan, 9-4, repeated over Yang, 9-8, and rallied past Liu Haitao of China, 11-8.


FEIJEN BEATS PULPUL SETTLES FOR THIRD

NEILS "The Terminator" Feijen of the Netherlands settled for a third place-finish in the just concluded World Ten Ball Championship at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, on Sunday.

Despite playing for a consolation prize, Feijen, the 2008 World Straight Pool winner broke the hearts of local fans by trouncing the last Filipino Demosthenes "Plong-Plong" Pulpul, in the battle for third place to bag the $25,000 third prize money in this $400,000 total pot prize event organize by Raya Sports.

Pulpul, fondly called "Plong-Plong" in the local pool circuit didn't go home empty-handed as he received $15,000 as his prize for fourth place.

"Magaling talaga si Niels (Feijen)," said Pulpul in a post-game interview yesterday. It shall be recalled that Pulpul also bowed to two-time world champions (WPA World 9-ball and WPA World 8-ball) Wu Chia-ching of Taiwan, 8-11, in the first semifinal match. Darren Appleton of Great Britain beat Feijen, 11-9, in the second semifinal match on Saturday. Wu and Appleton will shot it out for the World Ten Ball Championship - which offers a top prize of $100,000. The runner-up will pocket $40,000.

On the road to the final four, Pulpul needed to go through a tough qualification tournament at the famous Star Billiards Center to make it to the main draw of this 128 player's field. In the group play, Pulpul crushed Mohd Ali Al Bin of Qatar (9-2) and Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan (9-8) then bested world no.1 female player Jasmin Ouschan of Austria (9-8) in the round-of-64, then subdued Kazuo Furuta of Japan (9-4) in the round-of-32, and Yang (9-8) in the round-of-16, and Liu Haitao of China,11-8, in the Round-of-8.

Other noted Filipino pool sharks who also saw action were Marlon Manalo, Antonio Gabica, Jeffrey de Luna, Elvis Calasang, Mario Tolentino, Victor Arpilleda, Jericho Banares, Leonardo Didal, Edgar Acaba, Arnel Bautista, Florencio Banar and Elmer Kalaquian. Top PNP player Alex Nobleza, meanwhile is a referee in this world championship event.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO