Marlon Manalo "The Marvelous Captain" Set to Make Comeback, Eyes Qatar World 9-ball crown

 

by Marlon Bernardino

Veteran campaigner Marlon Manalo has all the opportunities to be the world’s best. 

But for now, he is determined to follow the foot-step of Filipino World Champions in the likes of Efren "Bata" Reyes (WPA World 9-ball and 8-ball champion), Ronato "Volcano" Alcano (WPA World 9-ball and 8-ball champion), Francisco "Django" Bustamante (WPA World 9-ball champion), Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (WPA World 9-ball champion), Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo (WPA World 8-ball champion) and Rubilen "Bingkay" Amit (WPA Women's World 10-ball champion).

He will make his return to the pool world after a long hiatus when he competes in this year’s World 9-Ball Championship beginning September 2 in Doha, Qatar.

"The World 9-ball tournament in Qatar will be a good test for me that's why I prepared well for it," said Manalo, who is also known in pool circuit as "The Marvelous Captain."

“I still believe I can become a world champion,” added Manalo, a many-time winner in the US Pool Circuit and runner-up to Reyes in 2004 World 8-Ball Championship.

"If we're lucky enough in the World Pool Championship in United Arab Emirates and Kaoshiung, Taiwan, I'd win at least one title for us," added the Jose Rizal University (JRU) AB Economics graduate.

"I will pour all that I know in Qatar," said Manalo, who settled for a silver medal in the snooker event by placing second to Bjorn Haneveer of Belgium in the 2001 Akita, Japan World Games.

The affable cue artist and chairman of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City captivated the billiard circuit by clustering victories against noted pool sharks Yang Ching-shun of Taiwan and countrymen Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante in the knockout stage of the World Pool Championship in 2004.

The following year, the 2000 Asian Snooker Champion and 2008 National Champion Manalo went all the way to the semifinals of the same event before bowing to eventual champion Wu Chia-ching (Wu Jia-qing).

Although he’s been away from big competition the past few years, Manalo kept himself in shape by practicing daily in his own pool hall in Talumpung, Mandaluyong and famous Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City, hosted by long-time sports patron Sebastian "Baste" Chua.

He is set to fly to Doha, Qatar on Saturday. 

At this point,  the  Brgy.  Malamig chairman from Mandaluyong City's quest for honor and glory received a needed shot in the arm from his long-time benefactors Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr.,  Rep.  Neptali "Boyet" Gonzales II and Solar Sports head Ronald Tieng.

The 2013 World 9-Ball Championship sponsored by Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and co-sponsors by Simonis (cloth), organized by Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation (QBSF) and sanctioned by World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU).

Bustamante & Kiamco to Represent Philippines at the World 14.1 Tournament in New York City

New York, New York -  It's heating up! America's #1 ranked player Shane Van Boening will chase his first straight pool title next week at the Olhausen 73rd World Tournament of 14.1. Filipino World Champion and legend Francisco Bustamante returns for his second visit to the world's oldest tournament. Dragon Promotions and Dr. Michael Fedak will bring another globally star studded field at this year's 73rd Olhausen World Tournamenthosted by Steinway Billiards in New York on August 19th-24th,2013.  

Though the World Tournament has been revived since 2006, Van Boening has not accepted his invite previously until now.

Van Boening has won a myriad of titles including the US Open 9-Ball, the International 10-Ball Championship, as well as many 8-Ball and Derby City One Pocket titles. But he is missing Straight Pool, the father of all other games. I asked him about his favorite games in order. "If I had to choose my favorite game, it would be barbox 8-Ball. There's no luck. 10-Ball, 9-Ball...you have to be lucky after the break to get a good shot on the 1-Ball. One Pocket is a good game." How about straight pool ? Shane shrugs his shoulders , "I'll try it."

One time he met Willie Mosconi with his grandfather. "Mosconi tells Shane, you can be the best in the world. And even implied better than him if he practiced", said Gary. "But I don't think Shane could beat Willie in his prime. Not yet. It was different games they both play, but Mosconi was pretty amazing. But I'd love to see Shane play 14.1. I think he could win that, too."

Bustamante came close to the Gold in 2008 when he got to the finals undefeated only to fall to Netherlands Niels Feijen. Though not a student of the game, Francisco's pool skills make him dangerous in any game on the felt. Joining him from his homeland, world class Warren Kiamco will be joining him in his first attempt at the World Tournament of 14.1. Kiamco is a great all around player with high finishes in 8-Ball and one pocket events as well as being the reigning ABP sanctioned Johnny Archer Classic Champion, in which he toppled Van Boening in the finals. Other Asian notables will be Can Wang of China and Eddie Kwok of Korea.

FILIPINO POOL SHARKS VIE FOR ALL JAPAN CHAMPIONSHIP

by Marlon Bernardino

POOL sharks coming from around the world will be vying for prestige and the coveted crown when the 46th All Japan Championship gets underway on November 12-18 at the Hotel New Archaic Hall in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo, Japan.

As expected Filipino Billiards masters Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, Carlo "The Black Tiger" Biado and Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza will spearhead the Philippine campaign. 

Other notable cue masters will seeing in action are Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego, Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, Jonas James Reyes, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco, Jundel "Jano" Mazon, Rodrigo "Edgie Marilao" Geronimo, Johann "Bubwit" Chua, Val Pajuay, Roel Esquillo and Jerome Andrino. 

"Mabigat po y'ung All Japan Championship pero tinitiyak namin (Filipino cue artists) na lalaban kami ng husto," said the 28-year-old Jonas James Reyes, who is fresh from winning the monthly Tiger Cup 10-ball tournament at the famous Star  Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City last June.

"Gagawin po namin y'ung aming makakaya para sa bayan, "added the pride of San Mateo/Montalban, Rizal Jonas James Reyes, long-distant relative of Efren "Bata" Reyes, who also got a strong fourth place finish in the 2013 POC-PSC Philippine National Games last May at the Gameball, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The tournament will feature defending champion  Jung-Lin Chang of Taiwan, Kunihiko Takahashi of Japan, Mika Immonen of Finland, Ralf Souquet and Thorsten Hohman of Germany and Johnny Archer of the United States, among others.

Chang, a player from Bugsy International Promotions, cemented his status as world no. 1 after beating countryman Yang Ching-shun of Chinese-Taipei in the finals of the last year's edition. Chang went home with the top prize of $28,600, while Yang settled for $14,300.

RAMON 'MAESTRO MONCHING' MISTICA TOPS CALIFORNIA 9-BALL

by Marlon Bernardino-

US-based Filipino Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica continues his winning ways in the California Billiards Tournament. 

Banking on his experience and international exposure, Mistica added the Pallacade 9-Ball Tilt to his growing list of billiards honors by edging American Terry White, 7-6, Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time) in the finals of the Pallacade 9-Ball Championships in San Francisco, California.

The win enabled Mistica, a pool instructor and habitue of Star Billiards Center in Grace Village, Quezon City to captured his fifth straight California title this year including his victories in the Hardtime Billiards in Sacramento and Familly Billiards in San Francisco.

"I was cautious all-throughout because I know Terry is a very tough opponent especially in the final matches, but of course besides experience I had a better luck in the end game after his magnificent performance at the start of the game," the Murphy, Quezon City native Mistica, referring his fifth California title.

Mistica was known to frequently play at the famous AMF Puyat Billiards Hall in Farmers Plaza in Quezon City, and played against many of the most widely-known names of his generation including Efren “Bata” Reyes, Santos Sambajon, and “The Leader of the Filipino Invasion Jose "Amang" Parica., whom he beat in tournament in the mid 90's.

 “The best pool teacher in the Philippines” said Bata Reyes.

His next tournament is the longest running 9-ball tournament in the United States dubbed as US Open 9-ball on October 14 to 19 at the Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake (formerly Holiday Inn) in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Biado Settles for 2nd place in US Open 8-Ball Championship

by Marlon Bernardino

Filipino Carlo "The Black Tiger" Biado yielded to eventual champion American Shane Van Boening, 13-11, in the finals of this year’s US Open 8-Ball Championship held at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday.

The Bugsy International Promotions ace Biado, who was also the winner in the Hard Times 10-Ball open last week at the Crooks and Castle in Bellflower, Los Angeles, California, received the second place prize of $8,500 for his effort. Van Boening, meanwhile, took the crown and the $15,000 top prize after trouncing Biado in the tough tournament.

Biado needed to beat Sean Cheng of Taiwan, 7-5, in the one-loss side to arranged a titular showdown with undefeated Van Boening. He earlier beat compatriots Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 8-7, and Warren "Warrior"Kiamco, 8-6.

It what an intense finals between Van Boening and Biado saw the two players trade break and runs an incredible 14 times in a row until the score lay at 10-10. 

According to AZbilliards.com report, Biado was on a roll when he drew the cue ball into the side pocket in 21st racks. However,the scratch left Van Boening with an out and he cashed it. This left Van Boening only needing a break and run to earn his first major 8-Ball title. After making a ball on the break, Van Boening shocked the crowd by missing his first shot of the run and Biado ran out to tie things again at 11-11.

Rack 23 saw the pressure get to Biado again, as he ran to a tough shot in the side pocket, which he missed. Van Boening quickly ran out to take a 12-11 lead.

Rack 24 would be the final rack, as Van Boening crushed the rack and every ball had a pocket. He gave the crown one last bit of excitement when he overran shape on the 8-ball and was left with a shot similar to the one that Biado had missed a rack earlier. After sizing up the shot, Van Boening drained in like a hanger and Van Boening dropped to his knees with relief.

The Filipinos’ campaign in the US pool circuit is supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, Bugsy International Promotions, Puyat Sports, Boss Tapa, Hermes Sports Bar, King of Sports Resto Bar and Malungai Life Oil.

Orcollo Wins US Open One Pocket Title

by Marlon Bernardino

Philippines Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo  is once again at the top of his game after winning the US Open One Pocket Championship 2013 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Monday Manila Time (Sunday in US Time). 

The top player of Bugsy International Promotions Orcollo defeated Derby City One Pocket Champion Corey Deuel of the United States, 5-3, in the finals to run away with the title.

Orcollo jumped to a 2-0 lead in the race-to-five final before Deuel fought back to level at 2-2. Orcollo got his nose in front again 3-2 but the American and former U.S. Open 9 Ball champ battled back to level again at 3-3 count. Deuel made a mistake on his break return in rack seven and allowed Orcollo a quick run to get to the hill at 4-3. 

Rack eight saw Deuel put togeher multiple small runs to take a 7-2 lead in ball count and most fans on the rail were certain we were in store for a hill-hill match. Deuel passed on multiple semi-risky shots that Orcollo baited him with, but it was finally a fairly straight forward safety that spelled the end for Deuel. He left Orcollo a shot with a very tough table and Orcollo ran the final six balls on the table for the 5-3 win and first place.

Sportsman/businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano hailed the victory of Orcollo saying it is proof that Filipino players are at par if not the best in the world. “Once again our flag has been raised in the foreign land after our kababayan (Dennis) Orcollo won the US Open One Pocket Championship 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA," Mariano said.

The Filipinos’ campaign in the US pool circuit is supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, Bugsy International Promotions, Puyat Sports, Hermes Sports Bar, Boss Tapa Food and Restaurant, King of Sports Resto Bar and Malungai Life Oil.

Orcollo marched to the finals after blanking Deuel, 4-0, in the Hot Seat Final.

Deuel's trip to the One-Loss side was short as he dealt Carlo " The Black Tiger" Biado his second loss of the tournament, knocking him out via a 3-2 scoreline. That result propelled the Ohioan to the final to force a finals rematch showdown with Orcollo. 

Earlier, Orcollo beat Michael Reddick, 4-1,  Danny Smith, 4-2, L. C. Carter 4-0, Larry Nevel, 4-2, and Chris Bartram, 4-2, of the USA before facing Deuel in the Hot Seat Final  between the only two unbeatens in the field.

The former fisherman from Bislig, Surigao del Sur Orcollo earned the top prize of US$7,500, Deuel settled for US$4,800 in second place prize money, Biado takes home US$3,300 while another Pinoy, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, banked US$1,500. Two other Pinoys, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and Jose "Amang" Parica, also finished in the money, as did Filipino-born and US based Santos "The Saint" Sambajon.

According to billiards/pool commentator Bob Guerrero, one Pocket is a game using all fifteen balls that, as the name suggests, only allows players one pocket, (either of the corner pockets near the foot spot) to pot balls. The first player to pot eight balls wins the rack. It can be a highly tactical game with lots of safety exchanges but oftentimes the best players in the world, once given an opening, can make the eight balls vanish in mere minutes. The discipline is considered to be a fine test of strategic thinking, safety, and pocketing as well. Efren "Bata" Reyes is generally considered to be one of the top One Pocket players in the world; although he was not in Vegas for this event. One-pocket is one of the most stringent tests of excellence in all of pool, as it requires great shot-making skills, bank shot excellence, planning, and patience.

FILIPINO CARLO BIADO HARD TIMES 10 BALL OPEN CHAMPION; POCKETS $5,300

by Marlon Bernardino

Rising star Carlo Biado emerged this year’s Hard Times 10 ball Open champion with an 11-1 victory over countryman Alex Pagulayan in the finals held at the Crooks and Castle in Bellflower, Los Angeles California on Monday (Sunday in US Time).

“I believe that Carlo (Biado) had good chances of becoming world champion,” said sportsman/businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano, head of Bugsy International Promotions.

As overall champion, the La Union native Biado, a former caddie-turned-billiards player, took home the $5,300 champion's prize while Pagulayan bagged the runner-up purse of $3,200 in the 4th edition of the said annual tournament.

Biado follow the foot step of Hard Times billiards winners in the likes of compatriots Lee Vann Corteza (2010), Pagulayan (2011) and Dennis Orcollo (2012). Orcollo settled overall third place honor this time to enroute 1-2-3 finish for the Filipino pool sharks.

The Filipino campaign in the US pool circuit are supported by Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), Bugsy International Promotions and Puyat Sports.