FORMER double world champion Wu Chia-Ching
and reigning Guinness 9-ball champion Chang Jung-Lin will lead
a 6-player Taiwanese contingent in the Puerto Princesa Mayor's
Cup of the Philippine Pool Tour which begins on June 16.
This was disclosed yesterday by Mr. Tu
Yung-Hui, president of the Chinese Taipei Billiards
Association, in a letter to the PPT organizing committee.
Organized by the Billiards & Snooker
Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and presented by San Miguel
Corporation, the Puerto Princesa 10-ball event will be hosted
by Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn. It will take place in two stages:
Stage 1 (Elimination Rounds) on June 16-17 at the Star
Billiards Center in Quezon City, and Stage 2 (Main Tournament)
on June 19-22 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.
The four other Taiwanese players are Ko
Pin-Yi, the reigning 2007 world junior champion, Lu Hui-Chan,
Kuo Chun-Nan, and Chung Chien-Te.
The 18-year-old Ko has had recent success
playing in the big leagues. He won a tournament in Bangkok
earlier this year, beating Filipino Dennis Orcullo in the
finals. He also saw action at the recent World Poolmasters in
Las Vegas.
The PPT organizing committee has awarded Wu
and Chang PPT Tour Cards by virtue of their achievements as
world and Asian champions. With the tour membership go
automatic spots in Stage 2 of the PPT leg in Puerto Princesa
on June 20-22.
Chung also earned a Stage 2 spot by virtue
of his placing in the top 16 of the Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup
last May 6-11.
Ko, Lu and Kuo will see action in Stage 1
of the tournament.
The Puerto Princesa Cup offers a top prize
of $10,000 to the winner of the championship. Prizes are
awarded up to 32
