A sport where age is not a factor

In my view, billiards is one sport where age does not matter in order for one to excel.

As a matter of fact, several former winners of the prestigious World 9-Ball Pool Championship, like Americans Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer, Chinese Taipei’s Chao Fong-pan, Germany’s Ralf Souquet and local idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, may be considered old for an athlete, yet they are good for some more years.

While it is true that there are other sports such as chess and marathon where age does not also matter, it is on record that a Filipino is yet to become a world champion in these sports. In billiards, the Philippines has already produced three world champions.

Hall of Famer Reyes was already 45 when he captured the world crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999. He is now 54.

Supported by brothers former Assemblyman Jose “Popit” Puyat and Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, the toothless “Magician” is an original member of the powerhouse Puyat Sports stable that includes the 58-year-old Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 44; and 50-year-old Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, who topped the recent Sen. Manny Villar Cup in Bacolod City.

Pagulayan, the 2004 world champion and 2005 US Open winner, is the latest addition to the team.

“His (Reyes) style is so drastically different,” once said the legendary Nick Varner, a two-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year. “He attracts a lot of attention. And he has a big impact on the way we Americans play the game.”

On the other hand, double world champion Alcano, who bagged the 2006 world 9-ball crown and the 2007 world 8-ball title, is now 35. Pagulayan, who won the 2004 world 9-ball and 2005 US Open crowns, is pushing 29.

Veteran internationalist Strickland is now 47, but still going strong. He won the world 9-ball title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 2002. Archer, 40, captured the championships twice, in 1992 and 1997.

On the other hand, two-time champion Chao, a contemporary of Reyes, took the crown in 1993 and 2000, while Souquet won it in 1996. Both are nearing 60, yet they are still capable of punishing young talents with their arsenals of flawless breaks, silk-smooth runs and merciless safeties.

-by Manolo Iñigo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A sport where age is not a factor

In my view, billiards is one sport where age does not matter in order for one to excel.

As a matter of fact, several former winners of the prestigious World 9-Ball Pool Championship, like Americans Earl Strickland and Johnny Archer, Chinese Taipei’s Chao Fong-pan, Germany’s Ralf Souquet and local idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, may be considered old for an athlete, yet they are good for some more years.

While it is true that there are other sports such as chess and marathon where age does not also matter, it is on record that a Filipino is yet to become a world champion in these sports. In billiards, the Philippines has already produced three world champions.

Hall of Famer Reyes was already 45 when he captured the world crown in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999. He is now 54.

Supported by brothers former Assemblyman Jose “Popit” Puyat and Aristeo “Putch” Puyat, the toothless “Magician” is an original member of the powerhouse Puyat Sports stable that includes the 58-year-old Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 44; and 50-year-old Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat, who topped the recent Sen. Manny Villar Cup in Bacolod City.

Pagulayan, the 2004 world champion and 2005 US Open winner, is the latest addition to the team.

“His (Reyes) style is so drastically different,” once said the legendary Nick Varner, a two-time Billiards Digest Player of the Year. “He attracts a lot of attention. And he has a big impact on the way we Americans play the game.”

On the other hand, double world champion Alcano, who bagged the 2006 world 9-ball crown and the 2007 world 8-ball title, is now 35. Pagulayan, who won the 2004 world 9-ball and 2005 US Open crowns, is pushing 29.

Veteran internationalist Strickland is now 47, but still going strong. He won the world 9-ball title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 2002. Archer, 40, captured the championships twice, in 1992 and 1997.

On the other hand, two-time champion Chao, a contemporary of Reyes, took the crown in 1993 and 2000, while Souquet won it in 1996. Both are nearing 60, yet they are still capable of punishing young talents with their arsenals of flawless breaks, silk-smooth runs and merciless safeties.

-by Manolo Iñigo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

‘Biggies’ in Villar Cup

Expect an even more exciting and more competitive pool action as the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup goes international for its fifth leg slated from November 13 to 16 at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

After four highly successful stops, where the cream of the country’s billiards’ crop battled for supremacy, the island-hopping series, presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, has opened its door for some of the world’s top cue artists.

“We want to make this tournament even more competitive, more challenging to our top players, while giving our young players the experience of playing in the international level,” said Senate President Manny Villar during the press launch Wednesday at the Bacolod Goldenfields’ Garden Royal.

“This is part of my commitment of helping sports, especially those where we Filipinos can excel in and dominate, like billiards,” added Villar, now considered as the biggest benefactor of Philippine billiards.

Former World Cup of Pool titlist Fu Jianbo of China leads the visiting forces, who will mix it up with 24 local bets for the coveted title and the $15,000 top prize at stake in this four-day event, organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod, led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and the Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Besides Fu, the other foreign entries in this tournament, also dubbed as “the Bacolod International VILLARDS Festival,” are former Asian Games gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan and Christian Johannessen of Norway, among others.

“Mas mabigat nga ang laban ngayon, pero tingin ko kami-kami pa rin ang magkikita sa finals,” said pool icon Efren “Bata” Reyes, reprising one of his famous lines.

Reyes will once again lead the local charge, along with fellow former world champions Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, reigning world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza and previous Villar Cup leg winners Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan) and Roberto Gomez (Davao).

Also in the 32-man field are Carlo Biado and Ricky Zerna. The rest of the slot will be filled through wild-card entries and a series of qualifying tournaments slated from November 8 to 11 at the Celebrity Billiards and Bar in Bacolod City.

Besides the international invitational division, there will also be the Executive Class and Amateur divisions for both men and women, where almost half-a-million pesos cash prize is at stake.

RP’s best pool players team up in battle vs. Best of the World

Philippines best cue masters will join forces to keep the nation’s status as the best billiards playing country.

Former world champions Alex Pagulayan, Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ronnie Alcano, current world No.1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runnerup Roberto “Superman” Gomez, and Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Warren Kiamco and Lee Van Corteza are drawn together to form Team Quezon City-Philippines.

They will be cueing up against the collection of the best players who will be suiting up for the World Team; composed of newly-crowned US Open champion Mika Immonen of Finland, Thorsten Hohmann of Germany, Wu Chia Ching of Chinese-Taipei and Shane Van Boening of the United States.

Other members of Team World are World Cup of Pool winner Rodney Morris and Charlie Williams of the US and Jianbo Fu of China, and newly-crowned Guinness 9-Ball Tour Grand Finals champion Ching Shun Yang of Chinese Taipei.

The two teams will play for the $40,000 top prize of the Q.C. Invasion: Quezon City-Philippines vs. the World Grand Billiards Showdown on Dec. 2 to 4 at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

The two teams will play singles, doubles and team events patterned after the famous Mosconi Cup, an annual contest between the best pool players of the US and Europe.

RP is making waves in world billiards

Filipino cue artists once again proved that you win in billiards not only through inborn grace and intelligence, but most of all through experience.

Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, lead player of Bugsy Promotions, and battle-scarred Warren Kiamco made the Final Four against former world champions Mika Immonen of Finland and Johnny Archer of the United States, respectively, in the star-studded 33rd US Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake, Virginia. (This piece was submitted before the event’s final two stages—Ed)

Whether or not they win the US Open title and the champion’s paycheck of $40,000, the Filipino pair will make history. The mere fact that they stormed into the magic four shows that Filipinos can hold their own even against the world’s best and toughest pros.

Over in Jakarta, world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, also of Bugsy Promotions, and 2004 World Pool 9-Ball champion Alex Pagulayan of Puyat Sports, likewise landed in the elite four in this year’s Guinness Tour Grand Finals, the culmination of the Asian Tour.

All four players—Alcano, Kiamco, Orcollo and Pagulayan—are mainstays of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, a group of professionals whose main objective is to promote the game of pool nationwide and to look after the well-being of its members.

In my view, local billiards is already the real winner here. The mere fact that the country’s present crop of veteran cue artists is now a force to reckon with in the international pool scene speaks well of the people running the sport.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Americans were the most dominant billiards players in the world. Among their top pool pros were Nick Varner, Mike Lebron, Jimmy Rempe, Jay Helfert, Kim Davenport, Buddy Hall and, much later in the 1990s and 2000s, Earl Strickland, Johnny Archer, Corey Deuel, Rodney Morris and Shane Van Boening.

In the 1980s, Filipino players entered the picture. Ageless Jose “Amang” Parica, now United States-based, led the Philippine invasion of the American circuit in mid-1984.

Humble and simple Efren “Bata” Reyes, playing under the name of Cesar Morales, started to build a reputation that would make him the most dangerous and finest player on the planet.

In 1985, Reyes, then 29, won his first US title—the Red’s 9-Ball Open in Houston, Texas. He earned the moniker “The Magician” because of his smooth motion and subtle touch.

In 1994, Reyes captured the US Open to become the first non-American to win the crown. A native of Pampanga, Reyes capped his achievements by winning the World Pool Championship in Cardiff, Wales, in 1999 at age 45. Reyes, who is now 54, skipped the 2008 US Open due to health reasons.

Many-time world champion Strickland, the flamboyant American cue artist who is also Reyes’ bitterest rival, said: “In my book, Reyes is the greatest player in the world. What else can you say? He plays you and he beats you.”

Immonen and Alcano Set for US Open Finals

The finals of the 33rd Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships are set, with Mika “Iceman” Immonen and Ronnie Alcano to return for their 7:30 p.m. match at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, VA.

Earlier in the day, Johnny Archer matched up with Warren Kiamco in the quarterfinal match, which ended up being one-sided in Kiamco’s favor. At 7-1 in Kiamco’s favor, Archer finally notched another rack and then switched from a head-on break to a cut break and jumped the cue ball off the table. Kiamco took that opportunity to three-foul Archer, going up 8-2. He then broke and ran two racks to reach the hill, at which point Archer made a bit of a run when Kiamco hung the 8. It was too little, too late, though, for Archer missed a jump shot on the 1 ball, and Kiamco won handily 11-4.

At the same time, the hot seat match between Immonen and Alcano was going on at the Accu-Stats table. They traded the first six racks, but then Alcano pulled ahead to 8-3, a large margin he created by excellent defensive play. Immonen rallied a bit, winning the next rack after Alcano overcut the 8 ball and then breaking and running the following rack. He came up empty on his next break, though, and Alcano ran out; however, Alcano made nothing on his next break, and Immonen cleared the table to make it 9-6. A missed jump shot on the 2 ball by Immonen gave Alcano the hill, and then when Alcano pocketed a ball on his last break, he was able to clear the table to win 11-6.

Bustamante, Alcano stay unscathed

Filipinos Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Ronnie Alcano posted their fifth consecutive victories Thursday to stay in the winners’ bracket in the 33rd Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship at the Chesapeake Convention Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Bustamante of Puyat Sports overwhelmed Oscar Dominguez, 11-1, while Alcano of Bugsy Promotions outlasted compatriot Lee Van Corteza, 11-9, as they stayed unscathed in the star-studded event that offers a total cash purse of $250,000.

Corteza made amends by getting the better of Germany’s reigning world eight-ball champion Ralf Souquet, 11-8, in the losers’ bracket to enter the tournament’s last 16.

United States-based Jose “Amang” Parica later pulled the rug from under defending champion Shane Van Boening of the US, 11-10, to join Bustamante, Alcano, and five others in the tightening circle of unbeaten players from the original field of 238.

Counting the eight remnants in the one-loss bracket, only 16 players stayed in contention heading into the final two days of the race for the $40,000 champion’s purse.

Joining Alcano, Bustamante and Parica in the winners’ side are former world champions Mika Immonen, Johnny Archer and Thorsten Hohmann, as well as reigning world 9-ball titlist Darryl Peach and World Cup of Pool co-champion Rodney Morris.

Immonen blasted Shawn Putnam, 11-1; Archer downed Brandon Shuff, 11-5; Hohmann routed Petri Makkonen, 11-2; Peach outsmarted Raj Hundal, 11-8; and Morris trounced Adam Smith, 11-4.

The unfriendly draw, however, has Alcano and Bustamante going up against each other in the next round. Parica will meet Immonen, Archer battles Peach and Hohmann collided with Morris.

Warren Kiamco scored five wins in the losers’ bracket to stay in the hunt.

Alcano Defeats Corteza in Filipino Billiards Battle

In the featured match of the 9 p.m. rounds, two Filipinos matched up when former world champion Ronnie Alcano and Lee Van Corteza met on the Accu-Stats table. Their match started off shaky at first, but the score remained even throughout until it reached 7-all. Corteza scratched on the 5 ball, and Alcano made a 5-9 combo and then broke and ran the next rack to go up 9-7. To make matters tougher on Corteza, Alcano then snapped in the 9 ball on his next break to reach the hill. Corteza scored a 4-9 combo in the following game and then took the next rack to make it 10-9. Corteza had another chance in the last rack, as Alcano scratched while attempting a two-rail kick, but Corteza missed the 7 in the side, leaving three balls for Alcano to win 11-9.

“Rocket” Rodney Morris took charge of his winners’-bracket match against Adam “GQ” Smith out of Detroit. Though Morris showed troubles getting a clean break and run-out, he used excellent defensive play to stay ahead early and reached a 6-0 lead before Smith got on the board. They exchanged racks for the remainder of the set, but a missed 2 ball in the final rack by Smith cost him the set 11-4.

In a winners’-bracket match utterly dominated by Francisco Bustamante, he reached a 6-0 lead over young Oscar Dominguez before Dominguez got on the board after a dry break by Bustamante. Through a combination of missed shape by Dominguez and strong play by Bustamante, it wasn’t long before “Django” took the match 11-1.

In another lopsided match on the winners’ side, former world 9-ball champ Thorsten Hohmann and Petri Markonen played. Markonen took the first rack, but Hohmann countered by winning the next eight in a row with several break and run-outs. Several exchanges over the next 9 ball led to Markonen getting another game on the wire, but it was not enough, for Hohmann finished out the 11-2 victor.

There was another near wipeout in the elimination rounds when Ralf Souquet and Toru Kuribayashi. Souquet exhibited some problems with getting a shot after his break and didn’t break and run until the sixth game to make it 6-0. Kuribayashi had opportunities throughout the match but did not manage to capitalize on them. In the final game with the score 10-1, Kuribayashi came up empty on his break, and Souquet closed out the set 11-1.

There was a close match in the elimination rounds between Warren Kiamco of the Philippines and the UK’s Imran Majid. Though Majid began by taking the first game and then breaking and running two more racks, Kiamco got on the board after Majid scratched on the 7 ball, making it 3-1 Majid. The score went all the way to 8-all when Kiamco surged ahead to reach the hill. Majid had another shot to bring it back, but he scratched on the 9 ball in the final rack, making Kiamco the 11-8 winner.

Alcano Leads RP Campaign in US Open

Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano leaves for the United States today to compete in the 33rd Annual U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship that starts Sunday at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Alcano, a stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, will lead a lean Filipino squad in vying in one of the toughest pool tournament in world.

He will be joined by former world no.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Ramil Gallego, Lee Van Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Rodolfo Luat, Jose “Amang” Parica 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.

The other top Filipino cue artists did not join in the event for various reasons. Efren “Bata”Reyes is undergoing medical checkup, while current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo and former world champion Alex Pagulayan are set to compete in the Grand Finals of the Guinness 9-Ball Tour in Jakarta, Indonesia, which is slated on October 24.

Alcano, who was a runner-up to American Shane Van Boening last year, is hoping to become the third Filipino to win the prestigious event after Reyes (1994) and Pagulayan (2005).

“I’ll do my best to go all the way this time."  said Alcano, who is searching for his first major title since winning the 2007 World 8-Ball Championship.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City Council has passed a resolution commending Orcollo for his recent string of triumph in the international and local arena.

Led by Majority Floor Leader Ariel Inton, the councilors, with the concurrence of Mayor Sonny Belmonte and Vice-Mayor Herbert Bautista, cited the 29-year-old Orcollo for his title conquest in the 2008 Quezon City 9-Ball Champion, the All-Japan Open, the Qatar International 9-Ball Open, the Guinness 9-Ball Tour leg in Guangzhou, China, and just recently, his and Bustamante’s third-place finish in the PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool.

“Orcollo’s string of triumphs only proved that the Philippines is still considered as the powerhouse when it comes to billiards because of the achievement of the Filipinos in different prestigious billiards competitions here and abroad,” the resolution states.

“Whereas, he is one of the Outstanding Citizens of Quezon City and a true Quezon City pride, is worthy of emulation and an inspiration for the Quezon City aspiring athletes who will join in all international competition.”

The resolution will be presented to Orcollo today during the SCOOP Forum at Kamayan Restaurant in Ermita, Manila.

ACKDO Supports QC Vs The World Grand Billiards Showdown

The QC-Philippines vs the World Grand Billiards Showdown received another boost with the Association of Clubs, Karaoke and Disco Operators (ACKDO) throwing its all-out support to the much-anticipated event slated December 2 to 4 at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City .

With promoting Quezon City as the country’s sports tourism capital, ACKDO did not think twice in backing the project when approached by its chief proponent, City Council Majority Floor Leader Ariel Inton.

“We are very happy to be part of this big event. Entertainment is one of the premier tourist attractions here in Quezon City, so we in the industry are giving our all-out support to this project, which in more than one way will also benefit us,” said ACKDO secretary-general Amil Yap.

ACKDO has been supporting a number of sports events, including the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP)'s Search for the New Billiards Idol series.

Also known as the “City of Stars ”, Quezon City boasts of having the biggest and liveliest entertainment spots in the country.

Already home to major television broadcasting networks, including giants ABS-CBN and GMA-7, Quezon City also houses dozens of restaurants, bars, night clubs, massage parlors, KTVs and the likes.

Pool icon Efren “Bata” Reyes banners the eight-man Team Q.C.-Philippines, which will pit prowess against a selection of topnotch cue artists from other countries in this three-day competition supported by the Quezon City Government led by Mayor Sonny Belmonte, QC Tourism Council headed by chairman Raffy Chico, and BMPAP with Solar Sports, RPN and the Philippine Star as media partners.

Besides Reyes, the other members of the Team QC Philippines are fellow former world champions Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, reigning world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, Lee Van Corteza and Warren Kiamco.

They will go up against a foreign team also led by three former world titlists in Chia-Ching Wu of Chinese-Taipei, Mika Immonen of Finland and Thorsten Hohmann of Germany. The other players of Team World are 2006 Asian Games gold medalist Satoshi Kawabata of Japan , Ching-Shun Yang of Chinese-Taipei, and Charlie William and Rodney Morris of the United States and another top European player.

They will compete for the $40,000 winner purse.

Alcano Leads All-Pinoy Semis in UAE

Top seed Ronnie Alcano racked up two more victories to banner an all-Filipino semifinals in the Knightshot Champions 9-Ball Challenge being held at the exclusive Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The 35-year-old two-time world champion blasted UAE’s Ismael Yaqoob, 10-5, in the Last 16 before overwhelming another local bet Rotchild, 11-3, in the quarterfinals to move within two wins of winning this weeklong tournament and pocket the $10,000 top purse at stake.

Alcano, who rose to prominence after winning the 2006 World Pool Championship in Manila, is eyeing his first title since ruling the 2007 World 8-Ball tilt in Fujairah.
“I really want to get out of this slump, and I hope that I could do it here,” said the stalwart of Perry Mariano’s star-studded Bugsy Promotions, whose campaign is also supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and Senate President Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.

Alcano will next face Middle East-based compatriot Alan Cuartero, who made it to the semis after defeating Mohammad Al Hosani, 11-6, in the Last 8.

The other Final Four match pits Negros Billiards Stable’s Ricky Zerna and Jarry Pelayo. Zerna scored one of the tournament’s upsets as he pulled the rug from under former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle with a 11-6 win in their quarterfinals encounter, while Pelayo subdued Mustafa Hasaan, 11-5, to advance and stay in the hunt for the crown.

World 9-Ball tourney won't happen in Manila in November

Matchroom Sport has told world pool officials that it will not stage the World 9-Ball Pool Championship (WPC) in Manila this November since it failed to get sponsors for the event, information reaching abs-cbnNEWS.com said Wednesday.

"The Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) claim that the WPC would be held in Manila was just talk," the text message said.

According to Matchroom, it hopes to revive the WPC early next year. A check on the Matchroom Web site (http://matchroomsport.com) provided a November 1-9 date for the WPC. However, it said that the venue was "to be confirmed."

In a related development, Manila-based sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz was able get a reaction from Matchroom media director Luke Riches regarding the event's postponement. “The WPC is not dead yet. But most likely it will be early 2009 [when it will be staged again]," Nathanielsz quoted Riches as saying.

Reached for comment, Perry Mariano, one of the founders of the BMPAP, said that he has yet to be informed of Riches' statement. He clarified that as of last report, the WPC merely lost its venue after Senate President Manuel Villar backed out as one of the event's main sponsors. "We got 50 percent but the other 50 percent, was supposed to come from Senator Villar. So nawala ang 50 percent," Mariano told abs-cbnNEWS.com.

Mariano, however, clarified that they are doing everything they can to follow-up the pledges from potential sponsors so that the WPC will take place as scheduled.

Despite Villar's withdrawal of support, Mariano said nothing is final yet. "We're still trying to convince the senator pero siyempre hindi na kamukha noon," he said, adding that politics may have been the main reason behind Villar's withdrawal. At any rate, Mariano said, "it's still Villar's money." "Pera niya 'yon. Wala pa siyang pinipirmahan. Hanggang walang dokumentong pirmado, everything is in limbo," Mariano said.

The WPC held in Manila last year saw England's Daryl Peach beating hometown hero Roberto Gomez, 17-15, in the finals.

Previous Filipino winners of the WPC were Efren “Bata” Reyes (1994), Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan (2005) and Ronnie "The Volcano" Alcano (2006).

Alcano seeks title drought end in UAE

Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano returns to the site of his last triumph as he joins Roberto Gomez and Gandy Valle in the hunt for the $10,000 top purse at the start of the Ramadan 9-Ball Invitational Championship starting Wednesday in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

Alcano has not won a tournament since topping the 2007 World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah.

“It was there in Fujairah where I last won a title,” said Alcano in Filipino. “So I hope it will also be there where I will start winning again.”

On the other hand, Gomez and Valle hope to capitalize on their recent wins in the Manny Villar Cup.

After a string of runner-up finishes, Gomez won the Villar Cup’s Davao leg last month while Valle ruled the Cebu leg in June.

“I hope to continue the momentum I’ve got from my Villar Cup victory,” said the 29-year-old Gomez, who rose to prominence after his runner-up finish in the 2007 World Pool Championship.

The three Filipinos, whose campaign is supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, were personally invited by the organizers of the five-day event.

“I hope I could win more tournaments before 2008 ends,” said Valle, also the runner-up to Gomez in the Davao Leg.

Gomez, Alcano, Valle launch campaign at Ramadan 9-Ball Challenge

Filipino cue artists Roberto Gomez, Ronnie Alcano and Gandy Valle opens their campaign Tuesday for the Ramadan 9-Ball Invitational Championship in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

A report on AzBilliards.com said Gomez is hoping to ride on his momentum following his successful stint at the Davao leg of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup.

“I hope to continue the momentum I’ve got from my Villar Cup victory,” said the 29-year-old Gomez, who rose to prominence with his runner-up finish in the 2007 World Pool Championship.

Like Gomez, Valle is also looking to sustain his good performance this year, which started after ruling the Villar Cup Cebu Leg in June.

“I want this 2008 to become a bounce back year for me, and I hope I could win more tournaments before it ends,” said Valle, who was the runner-up to Gomez in the Villar Cup Davao Leg.

Alcano, on the other hand, will break into the tournament looking to end a long title drought.

The former double world champion has not won a title since reigning in the 2007 World 8-Ball Championship held in Fujairah.

“It was there in Fujairah where I last won a title. So I hope it will also be there where I will start winning again,” said Alcano.

Alcano vs Souquet for the WPC Crown

Ronato Alcano is the 2006 World Pool Champion following a runaway 17-11 victory over Germany ’s Ralf Souquet at the Philippine International in Manila on Sunday night.

The 34-year-old from Calamba, Laguna went into the final as an underdog against the 1996 champion but never looked in trouble as he led throughout the alternate break race-to-17 final.

He now becomes the third Filipino following Efren Reyes in 1999 and Alex Pagulayan in 2004 to hold pool’s most coveted title.

Alcano takes the trophy, the title and with it the $100,000 top prize which will surely change his life forever.

There were scenes of bedlam at the PICC when Alcano completed a 1/9 combination for glory and several thousand people in the arena and watching on the balcony erupted in a show of national pride as one of their own became champion.

For Souquet it was a bitter disappointment as he lost his second WPC final in six years. The game German was magnanimous in defeat as he praised his opponent’s all-round superior play on the day.

Alcano used a precision soft break throughout and it paid dividends time and again as he bagged the wing ball and gained shape to pot the 1 ball into the centre pocket. He consistently ran out the table in an awesome display of the Filipino brand of pool.

Souquet’s luck betrayed him constantly but at times he seemed a little too conservative to gain any momentum.

The Filipino opened up a huge 8-2 lead and from there it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Souquet.

Alcano maintained his lead and the closest the German got was at 14-9 as he won three racks on the spin.

When he needed it, Alcano always had something in reserve – either a stunning pot or a tight safety – and he started to move away from his opponent.

His sole hiccup came in the 25th rack when he buckled on a 9 ball to hand the rack to Souquet. With games in hand though, Alcano took his time and his moment arrived in the 28th rack.

He locked Souquet in a snooker and when Souquet hit the 9 ball first on route to the 1 the scene was set. The balls fell perfectly for Alcano and with ball in hand he executed perfectly the combination shot on the 9 ball for the most illustrious victory of his career.

Alcano very nearly didn’t make it into the knock-out stages of the competition as he got off to the worst possible start in the group stages. Two consecutive defeats left him teetering on the brink but a late win over Holland ’s Marcel Martens saw him scrape through as one of only two players to qualify with a single win.

Unfancied at that stage, Alcano experienced a transformation that saw his play in the single elimination knockout stages go into overdrive.

First he bust up fellow Pinoy Roberto Gomez 10-1 and then came his make-or-break moment as he drew national hero Efren Reyes in the round of 32.

‘Calamba’ rose to the occasion superbly as he quieted the crowd with an excellent 10-7 win. Next up was 2005 runner-up Kuo Po-cheng of Taiwan who fell by the wayside 11-5.

Gunning his way through the top half of the draw was defending champion Wu Chia-ching and Alcano was a big underdog for their main arena quarter-final match. He delivered the goods, however, as he brushed Wu aside by 11-6.

Standing between Alcano and the championship match was unknown Chinese player Li He-wen who had impressed throughout.  It was a tense affair as Alcano prevailed 11-8 to set up the final against Souquet.

Alcano over Kiamco at Villar Cup Day Two

Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano came up with a flawless game to demolished Warren Kiamco, 9-1, and show the way for six other Bugsy boys in barging into quarterfinals of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Davao Leg before a jampacked crowd at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall here.

The 35-year-old Alcano, who is searching for his first title since winning the 2007 World 8-Ball Championship, ran out all the racks he broke and took advantage of his opponent’s erratic breaks to score the lopsided victory that moved him to within three wins of hoisting the prestigious plum and the P300,000 top purse at stake in this fourth stop of the island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports..

“I really want to break out of a slump, and I’ve been working hard for that. I hope this is the start of my rise again,” said Alcano, a stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano.

He will next face stablemate and 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, who defeated Elmer Haya, 9-5 in their Last 16 encounter of this event organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Alcano booted out William Millares

Corteza, who hails from Mintal and playing under the stabe of Jonathan Sy, hacked out an impressive 9-2 victory over Jundel Mazon.

Reyes had to dig deep into his bag of tricks before scoring a pulsating a 9-8 win over Richard Purnelosa. Reyes will meet Corteza next in the P800,000 three-day cuefest that offers a whopping P300,000 to the champion.

Corteza said he had already beaten Mazon twice in their two encounters, but he downplays his chances against Reyes. "I lost to Reyes three times already. I just hope I can win tomorrow when we play," Corteza told Sun.Star Davao.

Pagulayan fall to Jharome Peña, 6-9, in their first round match. Pagulayan was the first seeded player to bow out of the tournament.

World No. 1 Dennis Orcollo of Surigao lived up to his billing after his convincing 9-1 triumph over Romeo Alcano of Davao City. Alcano was runner-up in the Sipag at Tiyaga qualifying division held at the NCCC Mall B3 Center Tuesday.

Former two-time world champion Ronato Alcano of Laguna, meanwhile, booted out William Millares, 9-3, while Warren Kiamco of Cebu whipped Patricio Gonzales, 9-4.

Davao City national billiards lady player Mary Ann Basas bowed to Elmer Haya of Zamboanga, 4-9.

Senator Villar opened the fourth leg of the Villards Cup that kicked off in Alabang. It went next to Cebu and Bulacan before stopping in Davao.

Other first round matches were still being played as of this writing Thursday.

Ronato Alcano in Sapsal seizes pool title

Glenn Sapsal of Barangay 24-C beat Owen Candreho, 5-3, to pocket the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup 9-Ball Open Inter-Barangay Tournament title at the NCCC Mall B3 Center Sunday evening.

Sapsal, who is the brother of Bangkok Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, pocketed the cash prize of P4,000 while Candreho settled for the runner-up prize of P2,000.

A. Mariomon and B. Jomuad who placed third and fourth, respectively, received P1,000 each in the one-day cuefest sponsored by Senator Villar for Davao City residents.

The qualifying tournament for the Villards Cup opened at B3 Monday and will culminate Tuesday. The top two qualifiers will advance to the main draw of the knockout tournament on Thursday to Saturday at the Gaisano Mall of Davao Atrium.

Efren "Bata" Reyes, Ronato Alcano, Alex Pagulayan, Valle, Roberto Gomez, Warren Kiamco, Dennis Orcollo, Lee Vann Corteza and Joven Bustamante are among the seeded players in the main draw that offers a total guaranteed cash prize of P800,000.

Pool Players Welcome NBL

The soon-to-be-launched National Billiards League (NBL) has received an overwhelming support from the local pool community, particularly the players who are all excited to begin what they call “the new era of Philippine billiards.”

“We’re all very happy with this development as we know that having this professional league will really lift (Philippine) billiards to new heights, and this will be the start of a new era of Philippine billiards,” said former world champion Alex Pagulayan.

After finding a television partner – Solar Sports – that would broadcast the games for the league’s inaugural season, NBL’s main proponents Philippine billiards godfather Aristeo “Putch” Puyat and fellow managers Perry Mariano and Jonathan Sy are now negotiating with several companies for sponsorship to the teams to be formed.

Last Saturday, they met with the players from the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) to formally inform them of the development and invite them to join the league. They also introduced the newly-appointed NBL commissioner in businessman Martin Misa.

“We’re formally inviting you to join the NBL, a dream that we all share for a long time, which is now coming into reality,” said Puyat during the gathering attended by the country top cue artists, led by Efren “Bata” Reyes, as well as the sport’s up-and-coming stars.

“NBL will be exclusive for you BMPAP members, who have been with us in our crusade to put out sport in the right direction,” added Puyat.

The NBL is slated to start late this year with eight teams of six players each in the fold.

Meanwhile, the players present in the meeting reiterated their stand of not joining any event “that has anything to do with Mr. Yen Makabenta” and his Raya Sports, including the planned World 10-Ball Championship, until all the issues that caused them to break away from the groups affiliated with him are resolved.

“The main reason why BMPAP bolted away from the groups affiliated with Mr. Makabenta is because of his dual role as chairman of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and President of Raya Sports, which clearly constitutes conflict of interest,” the players said in a statement.

Besides Reyes and Pagulayan, also in the meeting were former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, Warren Kiamco, Rodolfo Luat and Joven Bustamante, among others. Reigning world no.1 Dennis Orcollo and Francisco “Django” Bustamante, who are campaigning in the United States, sent their representatives.

They said that having nothing against BSCP and they are willing to reestablish their ties with the association “if all the issues are resolved.

Villar Cup Davao Leg

DAVAO CITY – The biggest names in Philippine billiards – and in the world as well – invade the country’s largest city when the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup, now the nation’s leading pool series, holds its fourth leg on August 21 to 23 at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall here.

Led by no less than the sport’s icon Efren “Bata” Reyes, the who’s who in the local pool circuit will showcase their wizardry before the Davaoenos, who will be celebrating their much-anticipated Kadayawan Festival.

“I’m very honored to bring here in Davao our world-class cue artists and take part in your celebration of life and thanksgiving to the Almighty,” said Senate President Manny Villar during the tournament’s press launch Thursday at Gerry’s Grill in Gaisano Mall.

“Again, this is part of my commitment to help promote the sport, which we Filipinos are the no.1 in the world. I hope that by bringing the Villar Cup here, it would encourage our people, especially the youth, not only here in Davao but in the entire Mindanao as well, to take the sport and stay out of trouble,” he added.

Villar was joined in the special forum of the Davao Sportswriters Association by Reyes, along with fellow former world champions Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle and three-time Southeast Asian Games titlist Warren Kiamco.

All of them, along with other established and up-and-coming pool stars, are seeing action in the tournament presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports in cooperation with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Valle and Kiamco are two of the previous Villar Cup winners with the former winning the Cebu leg last June and the latter ruling the inaugural Alabang leg in May. Ramil Gallego bagged the Bulacan edition last month and will be defending the crown here.

Besides the Pro Elite division, the Villar Cup Davao leg will also have the Sipag at Tiyaga category and the “Villards sa Barangay” edition.

The Sipag at Tiyaga division, which will be held on August 18 and 19 at the B3 Billiards Center of the NCCC Mall, is open to all non-elite professional players from all over the country, while the Villards sa Barangay, slated on August 17 at the same venue, is a tournament exclusive for Davaoeno amateur players.

Sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Villar Cup is also supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable.

B3 is practice venue for top cue masters including the Ronato "Volcano" Alcano

NCCC Mall B3 (Billiards, Bowling & Bar) Center will be the practice venue for Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano and other seeded players seeing action in the First Senator Manny Villar Cup 9-Ball Open Davao Leg.

Reyes and company will have their practice from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on August 20 at B3 before they wow the Davao fans with spectacular shots during the tournament proper set August 21 to 23 at the Gaisano Mall of Davao Atrium.

Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) secretary-general Gandy Valle bared this to Sun.Star Davao Monday evening.

"The players would like to practice the night before the tournament opens. NCCC Mall B3 Center is the best and the most qualified venue for the practices. It is air-conditioned and it has standard tables. It also accessible to Dabawenyos who want to see their idols on practice," Valle said.

B3 is also hosting the Villar Cup Sipag at Tiyaga Inter-Barangay category for Davao City residents on August 17 and the qualifying tournament on August 18 and 19 where the top two qualifiers will earn slots to the main draw of the P800,000 open cuefest.

The inter-barangay event offers P10,000 to the champion while the qualifying champion bags the P20,000 top purse. The runner-up pockets P9,000, while the third and fourth placers will each receive P3,000 each.
In the main competition, the champion might take home P300,000 cash or more.

Valle, the Villar Cup Cebu Leg champion, and fellow Davao City player Lee Vann Corteza are also seeded in the main draw along with the champions in the Alabang and Bulacan legs and reigning World Pool Championship runner-up Roberto Gomez, among other must-see cue artists.

Ronato Alcano on P800T up for grabs in Villar Cup

A Guaranteed total cash prize of P800,000 will be up for grabs in the star-studded First Senate President Manny Villar Cup 9-Ball Open Davao leg set August 21 to 23 at the Gaisano Mall of Davao Atrium.

Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) secretary-general Gandy Valle made the announcement during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn.

Valle, who guested with Davao Billiards Association (DBA) president Menlee Migellano, said the office of Senator Villar has yet to send a breakdown of the prizes, although he revealed that the champion will take home not less than P300,000. The runner-up and the next top players will also receive huge prizes.

Valle said they will also hold an inter-barangay competition on August 17 for all-Davao players and a qualifying tournament on August 18 and 19 at the NCCC Mall B3 Center. The qualifying tournament is open for those who want to earn a slot to the main event to be held at the Gaisano Mall.

Migellano said the inter-barangay champion will pocket P10,000 while the qualifying champion will bag P20,000 and book a slot in the Villar Cup Open along with the runner-up who will get P9,000. The qualifying third and fourth placers, meanwhile, will go home with P3,000 each.

Valle, a former Bangkok Asian Games doubles gold medallist, confirmed the participation of pool sharks Efren "Bata" Reyes, current World No. 1 Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, reigning World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, Davao City's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games back-to-back medallist and New York champion Lee Vann Corteza and former two-time world pool champion Ronato Alcano, among other big names.

"Only Francisco 'Django' Bustamante can't make it to the Davao leg because he has a campaign abroad on the same schedule as our tournament here. The leg champions in Alabang, Cebu and Bulacan will also come and put up a stiff challenge," said Valle, who won the Cebu leg of the prestigious cuefest.

Valle downplayed his chances to winning the Davao leg title citing the huge cast of veterans entered in the knockout, race-to-nine, alternate-break format meet. "I'll just focus on my game," he said.

Villar is the guest speaker in the opening rites on August 21 and he will also be on hand to award the prizes on August 23.

RP pool masters off to Qatar for 9-ball tournament

Manila, Philippines – Former World Pool champs Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex Pagulayan, and Ronnie Alcano will lead the Philippine contestants going to Doha for the 2008 Qatar 9-Ball Championship, which starts on Friday, June 27, at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall.

The other contestants are current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, former world no.1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, defending national champion Lee Van Corteza, veterans Warren Kiamco and Ramil Gallego, upcoming stars Joven Bustamante and Benjie Guevarra, and recent Villar Cup Cebu leg champ Gandy Valle.

The tournament offers total prizes worth $150,000, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

"I hope I could carry a momentum from my Villar Cup triumph," Valle said.

Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Orcollo, and Corteza are all seeded to the main draw. But Valle, Pagulayan, Alcano, Gomez, Kiamco, Gallego, Guevarra, and Bustamante still need to earn their spots in the 96-person main draw through the two-day qualifying tilt starting on Friday.

Alcano on 2008 World 8-Ball Championships at Fujairah, UAE

Defending Champion Philippine No.1 rotation player Ronato “Volcano” Alcano got off to a great start yesterday in the 2008 World 8-Ball Championships before a huge crowd of pool fans at the Expo Center Fujairah in Fujairah City, United Arab Emirates

The lanky cue artists from Calamba, Laguna, who also won the 2006 WPA World 9-Ball Championships in Manila and place second in the 2007 US Open 9-Ball Championships in Chesapeake, Virginia didn’t go wasted time after a blazing start of 6-0 run in the race-to-8, alternate break format to beat unheralded Carlos Talavera from Guatamela, 8-1, in Group A.
Talavera won the 7th racks for his first rack to cut the lead at 6-1 in favor of the Filipino double world champion before the latter’s (Alcano) won the last two remaining racks.

AZbilliards boss Mike Howerton who is in Fujairah said to this writer in an email yesterday before the match, “The first round of matches are just starting now. The only Pinoy match taking place in the first round is Alcano vs Carlos Talavera from Guatamela. I don’t see that being much of a problem for Ronnie to win. He actually has a pretty easy run into the final sixteen. There will also be a 3pm round and Elvis Calasang will place Seung Wo Ryu from Korea. That is all we have for Pinoy matches today (last night).”Elvis Calasang is in Group B still engage battles as of presstime with Rye Seoung Woo of Korea.

Meanwhile, the Filipinos were greatly spread, and there’s a great chance that it could be another All-Filipino finals like last year. Thanks for a luckily draw to the ten Filipino qualifiers.