STARS of Philippine billiards, along with over a dozen
wannabes, dispute the title and the lion’s share of the $30,000 purse in the San
Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship starting today at the Trinoma Mall
in Quezon City.
Former world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and
Ronnie Alcano lead 32 players vying for the distinction of winning the first
major pool event in the country this year presented by San Miguel Beer in
cooperation with the Quezon City government led by Mayor Sonny Belmonte.
"The Australian Open of Philippine billiards" was how the
organizers–Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stablemate–dubbed
the event offering $10,000 to the champion.
"We’re all excited to open this event that will open the
floodgate of tournaments we are putting up for the players of all levels to
ensure that Filipinos remain competitive in the billiards world," said Bugsy
Promotions chief Perry Mariano.
The tourney is the first major project of the Billiards
Managers and Players Association of the Philippines.
Also seeing action in the three-day event are seeded players
Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez, Lee Van Corteza,
Gandy Valle, Rodolfo Luat, Warren Kiamco, Ramil Gallego, Joven Bustamante and
top lady bet Rubilen Amit, as well as qualifiers Jharome Pena, Egie Geronimo,
Elmer Haya, Antonio Delfin, Benjie Guevarra, Carlo Biado, Richard Yes, Leonardo
Didal, Aram Serquiano, Romar Villones, William Chua and Romeo Timcang.
Seven more slots to the main draw were being disputed at press time last
night by close to a hundred hopefuls in a qualifying tournament at the Paeng’s
Skybowl Bowling and Billiards Center in Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, which
will also be the venue of the non-televised matches of the main tournament also
sponsored by Pagcor, Trinoma, Philippine Star, Ayala Malls and Philippine Poker
Tour.
