CEBU CITY - Gandy Valle finally solved the Lion code and then destroyed the Robocop to end a long title drought and crown himself champion of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg yesterday before a jampacked crowd at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
The 31-year-old former Asian Games gold medalist, who had to recover from an opening round loss and in sickbay, defeated Alex ¡°the Lion¡± Pagulayan, 9-4, in the semifinals the first time he won over the former world champion before continuing his surge to upend current world no.1 Dennis ¡°Robocop¡± Orcollo, 11-5, in the finals.
¡°Sa wakas!¡± screamed Valle after pocketing the 9-ball in the 16th rack, which clinched him the prestigious Villar Cup and the P400,000 top prize at stake in this topnotch event event presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
¡°It¡¯s been so long since I won a major title, and I¡¯m very happy and proud to finally win a tournament this big,¡± added the stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano.
¡°And to do it by beating a world champ and a world no.1 make its doubly, if not hundred times sweet.¡±
Valle, who was a semifinalist in the opening leg of this island-hopping series last month in StarMall Alabang, made it to the finals despite losing his opening round match against little-known Manolo Tanasas, 9-3. He bounced back from the losers¡¯ bracket by beating former world juniors campaigner Rene Mar David, 9-5, and another rising star Jharome Pena, 9-5, in a match where he had to endure a severe headache, to barge into the knockout stage.
There, he opened his bid by dismantling hometown bet Achilles Navarra, 9-1, then evaded the upset ax of Bugsy stablemate Mike Takayama with a hard-earned 9-7 win, before trouncing another Bugsy boy Carlo Biado, 9-4, to set up a meeting with Pagulayan, who he had not beaten in their first four meetings.
Orcollo, on the other hand, had a relatively easy path to the last dance. He started his quest with a 9-2 demolition of Davao qualifier Danny Otacan, then slipped past Ricky Zerna, manhandled John Rebong, 9-4, Jech Limen, 9-5, and reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, 9-3, before facing and doing the same to Gomez.
Valle capitalized on a missed shot by Orcollo of the blue-2 in the 12th rack to uncork a telling 5-0 run that turned his precarious 6-5 lead into a title romp.
Orcollo, who failed to notch his third title this year after the Quezon City 9-Ball Championship and the All-Japan Open, settled for the runner-up purse worth P15,000. Pagulayan and Gomez each bagged P40,000 for reaching the semifinals of this three-day competition supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable.
Meanwhile, Bayani Porallo defeated fellow Cebuano Antonio Cusi, 10-7, to rule the Class B category of this tournament
Jun Mark Alegado nipped Elihil Pepito, 9-3, to bagged the High School division plum, while Jerson Cumayas subdued Joshua Ababon, 7-2, to clinch the Elementary crown.
By Tournament Staff - 2008-06-22
CEBU CITY ? Unheralded Egie Geronimo took the cudgels for the upset-minded young guns in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg by humiliating no less that pool icon Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, 9-1, at the start of the knockout stage yesterday at the jampacked Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
Coming into the match with only a leg title in the Search for the New Billiards Idol series as the brightest line in his resume, Geronimo was a hands down underdog against the man billed as the greatest cue artist ever.
But it only took a scratch off Reyes¡¯s break of the opening rack for Geronimo to seize the opportunity and start the carnage that earned him adoration from an awestruck Cebuano crowd.
After cleaning up the first rack, Geronimo broke and ran out the next six frames before allowing the former world champion back to the table only to miss a shot at the money-ball, sending Geronimo to the hill at 8-0.
Two racks later, it was over and another upset was recorded in this topnotch event presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
He was slated to face in the Last 16 fellow qualifier and Bugsy stablemate Michael Feliciano, who also demolished Godofredo Ducanes, 9-1.
Besides Reyes, the other big guns, who are already out of the running for the prestigious Villar Cup and the P400,000 top purse, are fellow former world titlist Ronnie Alcano, defending Villar Cup champion Warren Kiamco and veteran internationalists Rodolfo Luat.
Alcano was booted out by young Bugsy boy Jomar De Ocampo, 9-7, in the losers¡¯ bracket of the preliminary stage, while Kiamco, who lost his first match to another Bugsy boy Johann Chua, was eliminated by Benjie Guevarra, 9-5, late Friday.
Other round-of-32 matches saw other top guns former world champion Alex Pagulayan trouncing 14-year-old Cebuano Diondel Raga, 9-5; Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante demolishing Steve Villamil, 9-2; reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza blasting Romar Villones, 9-5; current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo ripping John Rebong, 9-4; and Joven Bustamante blanking Arturo Pubilco, 9-0.
Also advancing into the octofinals were Guevarra, who downed William Millares, 9-2; Ramil Gallego, who edged Panfilo Damuag, 9-8, Carlo Biado, who subdued Eduardo Villanueva, 9-5; Mike Takayama, who prevailed over Manolo Tanasas, 9-8, and Richard Pornelosa, who also squeaked past Danny Otacan, 9-8.
Matches in the Last 16 up to the quarterfinals were also scheduled to be played last night, with the semifinals and finals slated today.
By Tournament Staff - 2008-06-21
CEBU CITY ? Johann ¡°Bubwit¡± Chua came up big and stole the thunder from the star-studded field as he took the scalp of first leg champion Warren Kiamco with a stunning 9-5 win at the start of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg yesterday at the jampacked Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
The 16-year-old Chua, a member of Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, displayed booming breaks and superb pocketing in romping off to a strong start before quashing Kiamco¡¯s late push to become the biggest victor so far in this topnotch tournament presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
After splitting the first four racks, Chua broke and ran out five consecutive racks reach the hill at 8-3 before Kiamco claimed the next two for his last hurrah. Chua closed the match by pocketing a tough-angled bank shot of the money-ball in the 14th frame.
The victory moved Chua to within one win of advancing into the knockout stage of this event supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable.
Also winning their opening matches in the top half of the draw were fellow Bugsy boys Jharome Pena and Jundel Mazon, who demolished Roy Steffensen (9-0) and Elmer Haya (9-2), respectively.
Ricky Zerna and Ramil Gallego of Jonathan Sy¡¯s NBS likewise advance into the winners¡¯ side with convincing wins over Roberto Dy (9-6) and Russina Petiza (9-5).
In the lower half of the draw Michael Feliciano scored contrasting victories over two fellow rising pool stars to lead the first batch of players in advancing to the knockout stage.
The 22-year-old Feliciano, who made it to the 64-main draw via the last qualifying tournament Thursday, first came from behind to edge Bugsy stablemate Mark Malayan, 9-8, and then upended former national juniors champion Mark Mendoza with a 9-6 win to move closer to the coveted Villar Cup and the P400,000 top purse that goes with it.
He is joined into the Last 32 by other Bugsy boys in Richard Pornelosa, Mike Takayama and Egie Geronimo, along with William Millares and Eduardo Villanueva of FE Stable, Steve Villamil, Jech Limen, Arturo Publico, Panfilo Damuag, Romar Villones and 14-year-old Diondel Raga of Negros Billiards Stable.
Reigning Kyoto 9-Ball Open champion Dondon Razalan and hometown bets Michael Mendez and Achilles Navarra rounded up the 16 players advancing from the first half of the draw in this topnotch event presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
The other half of the field, which includes former world champions Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, along with other who¡¯s who of Philippine billiards, were contesting the remaining 16 slots to the KO round at presstime.
A short opening ceremony ushered the start of the competitions with no less than Senate President Manny Villar declaring the games open.
¡°Cebu is just one of the stops of the Villar Cup. As I¡¯ve promised I will bring Villar Cup to other provinces to give our kababayans a chance to personally see our world-class billiards players,¡± said Villar.
¡°This is my little way of helping promote the sport, where we Filipinos are top of the world,¡± he added.
Pornelosa made it to the Last 32 by beating Joey Pardales and Romar Villones with the same 9-7 decision; Takayama lost his opening match against Edison Crisilles, 9-7, but bounced back by trouncing Marvin Gentapa, 9-5, and Mendoza, 9-6; and Geronimo also recovered from a 9-2 defeat to Mendoza by trouncing Malayan, 9-4, and Crisilles, 9-2.
Millares downed Roldan Tolentino (9-6) and Jun Caro (9-2), Villanueva subdued Jomel Sultan (9-6) and Razalan (9-5), Villamil defeated Rey Grandea (9-8) and Publico (9-6), Damuag blasted William Chua (9-5) and Sultan (9-8), Villones beat John Rebong (9-8) and Chiong Ortiz (9-4), Limen trounced Eljun Abellana (9-2) and Bernard Tagalog (9-6), Publico nipped Raga (9-6) and Abellana (9-8), Raga won over Grandea (9-3) and Tagalog (9-8), Razalan prevailed against Ryan Cimafranca (9-3) and Chua (9-3), Mendez crushed Emil Martinez (9-1) and Damuag (9-5) and Navarra overcame Gentapa (9-7) and Crisilles (9-5).
By Press Release - 2008-06-20
CEBU CITY ? Sixty-four players, led by the who¡¯s who of Philippine billiards ? a huge chunk of the world¡¯s bests, gather to compete for the top honor and a huge pot in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg, which formally starts today at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.
With three former world champions, a former and the current world no.1, a horde of other world-class veterans and a flock of promising young guns, this tournament, presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities, promises topnotch competition.
Indeed, the Villar Cup, supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable, is by far the biggest pool event in the South.
¡°As I¡¯ve promised during our kickoff leg, I will bring the Villar Cup to the provinces to give our kababayans a chance to see in flesh our world-class Filipino billiards players, and give those aspiring players there a chance to compete with them,¡± said Senate President Manny Villar.
¡°I¡¯m very happy to be part of promoting one of the sports we Filipinos can claim our own,¡± added Villar, who will make the ceremonial break and officially open this three-day event.
A motorcade around the city will also highlight the opening day.
Pool icon Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes and fellow World Pool Championship titlists Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano are among the favorites to win the prestigious Villar Cup and the P400,000 top purse that goes with it.
But it is surely not going to be a walk in the park for the three revered cue artists as they will have to go through stiff challenges from the rest of the field.
Also out to go all the way are former world no.1 Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, current world¡¯s top-ranked cue artist Dennis Orcollo, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza, former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, and Villar Cup opening leg winner Warren Kiamco.
Other competitors include Joven Bustamante, Rodolfo Luat, Ramil Gallego, Carlo Biado, Jharome Pena, Jundel Mason, Benjie Guevarra, Mark Mendoza, Elmer Haya, Ricky Zerna, Benson Palce, Renemar David, Johann Chua, Manolo Tanasas, Russian Petiza, Jomar de Ocampo , Aram Serquiano, Ronnie Aying, Danny Otacan, Godofredo Ducanes, Roberto Dy, Allan Abuhalim, Romar Villones, Steve Villamil, William Millares and Chris Johanessen and Roy Steffensen.
Also making it via the two-day qualifying tournaments here are Roldan Tolentino, Chiong Ortiz, Jun Caro, Rey Grandea, Art Publico, Diondel Raga, Jomel Sultan, Eduardo Villanueva, Dondon Razalan, Ryan Cimafranca, Mike Takayama, Edison Crisilles, Achilles Navarra, Marin Gentapa, Richard Pornelosa, Joey Pardales, John Rebong, Bernard Tagalog, Rinier Lianto, Jech Limen, Eljun Abellana, William Chua, Panfilo Damuag, Emil Martinez, Michael Feliciano, Mark Malayan and Egie Geronimo.
Sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Villar Cup Cebu leg also has separate competitions for elementary, high school and amateur cue artists, which started earlier this week with the finals also slated on Sunday.
By Press Release - 2008-06-19
Warren Kiamco tries to make two in a row when the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup unfurls with its Cebu Leg tomorrow at the Trade Hall of SM City in Cebu .
Kiamco bounced back from the losers¡¯ bracket and upended pool icon Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes in the finals to rule the kickoff leg of the Villar Cup last May 10 at the Sports Center of Star Mall Alabang in Muntinlupa City.
¡°I hope I could repeat. I know it¡¯s hard but I will do my best,¡± said the 38-year-old Cebuano, who is a stalwart of the rising Negros Billiards Stable of Jonathan Sy.
¡°It would be sweeter if I can win in front of my fellow Cebuanos,¡± added Kiamco, who bagged the handsome Villar Cup and pocketed the P400,000 top purse in the first leg of this series of tournaments presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng
Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
But just like what he had gone before pulling through in the previous stage, Kiamco, a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, will surely have a hard time as the field is expected to be much tougher.
Newly-crowned World Pool Masters champion Alex Pagulayan and former world no.1 Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante will be out to challenge Kiamco. Pagulayan and Bustamante missed the first leg as they were in the United States at that time.
Besides Bustamante and Pagulayan, also going out to give Kiamco a run for his money are Efren Reyes and his fellow two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, along with current world¡¯s top-ranked cue artist Dennis Orcollo, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza, former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle and hordes of veterans and rising stars of Philippine billiards.
Also seeded in the 64-man main draw are are Ramil Gallego, Joven Bustamante, Rodolfo Luat, Carlo Biado, Jharome Pena, Ricky Zerna, Jundel Mason, Elmer Haya and Benson Palce, along with former national juniors champion Mark Mendoza and long-time national team mainstay Benjie Guevarra.
Among the early qualifiers are rising stars Russian Petiza, Rene Mar David, Johann Chua and Manolo Tanasas, who booked a slot through a special qualifying tournament for the Billiards Idol Season 1 topnotchers.
Jomar de Ocampo and Aram Serquiano made it as Nothern Luzon representatives, while Ronnie Aying and Danny Otacan were selected to represent Mindanao, Godofredo Ducanes, Allan Villa, Romar Villones and Steve Villamil for Western Visayas, and William Millares for Central Luzon.
The field will also have two European invitees in Christian Johannessen and Roy Steffessen.
The rest of the slots are being filled through qualifying tournaments, which are being played at presstime also in SM City Cebu.
The Villar Cup Cebu leg is coorganized by Sunstar Superbalita, which has been holding an annual pool tournament for the past seven years.
By Press Release - 2008-06-18
Former double world champion Ronnie Alcano hopes to finally pocket his first title this year as he competes in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg, which fires off on Friday at the Trade Hall of SM City in Cebu .
¡°It¡¯s been quite long that I haven¡¯t won a championship, and it¡¯s already middle of the year, so I will do my best to finally nail one,¡± said Alcano, who is one of the seeded players in what would be the biggest pool tournament in the South presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
One of the only four players to hold both the world 8-ball and 9-ball tiaras, Alcano has not won a title since ruling the World 8-Ball Championship in March 2007. He twice fell a win short of another crown, first in the All-Japan Open in March, where he lost in the finals to compatriot and fellow Bugsy boy Dennis Orcollo, and second in the World 8-Ball tilt, where he bowed to German Ralf Souquet in the titular match.
¡° Cebu is a good place for me and I¡¯ve already won a tournament there in 2005. I just hope that I would also get lucky in return there,¡± added the 35-year-old Calamba City native and stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano.
But it would take more than luck to win the Villar Cup as practically all of the country¡¯s world-class cue artists plus a horde of up and coming stars are vying in the event coorganized by Sunstar Superbalita, supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stable, and sponsored by Camella Communities.
Besides Alcano, the other players competing for the prestigious cup and the P400,000 top purse that goes with it are fellow former world titlists Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes and Alex Pagulayan, current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, former world¡¯s top-ranked player Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, and Villar Cup opening leg winner Warren Kiamco.
Also seeded to the 64-man main draw are Ramil Gallego, Joven Bustamante, Rodolfo Luat, Carlo Biado, Jharome Pena, Ricky Zerna, Jundel Mason, Elmer Haya and Benson Palce, along with former national juniors champion Mark Mendoza and long-time national team mainstay Benjie Guevarra, who replaced Rubilen Amit and Mary Basas. Amit and Basas are in teaching engagement in Indonesia .
Also making it to the tournament proper are rising stars Russian Petiza, Rene Mar David, Johann Chua and Manolo Tanasas, who booked a slot through a special qualifying tournament for the Billiards Idol Season 1 topnotchers.
Jomar de Ocampo and Aram Serquiano made it as Nothern Luzon representatives, while Ronnie Aying and Danny Otacan were selected to represent Mindanao, Godofredo Ducanes, Allan Villa, Romar Villones and Steve Villamil for Western Visayas, and William Millares for Central Luzon.
The field will also have two European invitees in Christian Johannessen and Roy Steffessen.
The rest of the slots will be filled through qualifying tournaments on Wednesday and Thursday also in SM City Cebu.
By Press Release - 2008-06-16
Joshua Ababon and Jerson Cumayas swept their respective foes over the weekend to arrange a titular showdown for the elementary division crown of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg being held at the Trade Hall of SM City in Cebu.
Between the two, it was Ababon who made the louder noise as he dethroned last year¡¯s Sunstar Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge champion Adrian Bedua with a 5-2 thrashing in the semifinals.
Cumayas, on the other hand, made it to the finals by trouncing Harley Gonzales, 5-1, in the other final-four duel.
Ababon and Cumayas will fight for the title and the P5,000 top purse on June 22 during the final day of this tournament presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and sponsored by Camella Communities.
A total of 28 players competed in the elementary division of this weeklong event coorganized by Sunstar Superbalita, and supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and Negros Billiards Stable.
Meanwhile, actions in the High School division also started over the weekend with a total of 32 players vying for the top honor.
Early results had Mhar Sagarino defeated Gerwin Bathan; Jepoy Canete was victorious against Robert Johnson Nocos; Jeffrey Potanak triumphed over Joed Puesca; Jhun Rey Gabunada succeeded against Reynold Arias; Allan Milan Jr. prevailed against Ram Lalwani; Cyril Gauste beat Jonico Jacob Romblon; Lee Van Labajo overpowered Alfie Montano.
The Class B division starts today, while the qualifying tournaments for the Elite category will begin tomorrow.
Former world champions Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano banner the 64-man field competing for the prestigious Villar Cup and the P400,000 top prize at stake in this island-hopping series sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
After Cebu, Villar Cup will have its third stop in Davao City in August to coincide with the Kadayawan Festival.
By Press Release - 2008-06-16
In its all-out effort to keep the Philippines¡¯ status as the Mecca of Pool, the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) will hold a series of regional tournaments in all of the country¡¯s geographical zones next year en route to the first ¡°true¡± national championships.
¡°This is part of the BMPAP¡¯s commitment to further develop the sport we Filipinos are on top of the world,¡± said BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez.
¡°The BMPAP will do whatever it takes to keep our status in billiards, and part of that is by strengthening our grassroots base,¡± he added.
Based on its initial concept, the BMPAP will stage regional championships in all 17 regions simultaneously in January with the top four players in each region qualifying to national championships the following month.
¡°There we will have the real national champion, and everybody will have the chance to be that guy,¡± said Bugsy Promotions head Perry Mariano of the event, his brainchild. He added that the tournament will only have a token entry fee to allow maximum participation, ¡°unlike before, where only those with managers are participating because of exorbitant entry fee.¡±
Since its inception in February, the BMPAP has conducted a number of small to large scale tournaments starting with the First San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship in March.
It has also partnered with Senate President Manny Villar for the staging of the Villar Cup, also known as Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, which is set to unfurl with its second leg in Cebu on June 20 to 22. Its kickoff edition in StarMall Alabang in Muntinlupa last May was a highly successful one.
The BMPAP has also been holding the Search for the New Billiards Idol, a series of tournaments held twice a month and open to all aspiring cue artists. It has concluded its first season of seven legs and is set to open the second season late this month with the plan to hold have some stops in the provinces.
By Press Release - 2008-06-06
The royalties of the world of pool gather for the very first time in the ¡°Queen City of the South¡± to vie for the top honor and a huge pot in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg, slated from June 20 to 22 at the Atrium of SM City Cebu.
With no less than King Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes wielding his magic, this second stop of the Villar Cup will surely be another world-class event.
¡°As I¡¯ve promised during our kickoff leg, I will bring the Villar Cup to the provinces to give our kababayans a chance to see in flesh our world-class Filipino billiards players, and give those aspiring players there a chance to compete with them,¡± Senator Villar said during the press conference Wednesday at the Trade Hall of StarMall EDSA in Mandaluyong City.
¡°Now, it¡¯s coming in Cebu ,¡± declared Villar.
A total pot of almost P1-million is at stake in this tournament a project of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), coorganized by Sunstar Superbalita, supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stable, and sponsored by Camella Communities.
Besides Reyes, also competing for the handsome Villar Cup ? and the P400,000 top purse that goes with it ? are fellow former world champions Ronnie Alcano and Alex Pagulayan, former world no.1 Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, current world¡¯s top-ranked cue artist Dennis Orcollo, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza and former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, among others.
Three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Warren Kiamco, who ruled the Villar Cup first leg last May 10 at the StarMall Alabang in Muntinlupa City, will also be out to defend his title right in his hometown.
¡°We¡¯re very thankful to Senator Villar for sponsoring this kind of tournament and for supporting billiards in general,¡± said Reyes, who was also present in the press conference along with BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez, billiards godfather Aristeo ¡°Putch¡± Puyat and most of the top seeded players.
¡°In return, we promise that we will play our best.¡± he added.
A total of 64 players will see action in the main draw with 20 of them seeded, while the rest will come from a series of qualifying tournaments to be held in key cities all over the country.
The other seeded players are Rodolfo Luat, Joven Bustamante, Jharome Pena, Carlo Biado, Ramil Gallego, Ricky Zerna, Jundel Mason, Elmer Haya, Rubilen Amit, Mary Ann Basas and Villar Cup first leg Sipag at Tiyaga division champion Benson Palce.
Four slots were disputed in a special qualifying tournament for the topnotchers in the Search for the New Billiards Idol last week. Bugsy boys Rene Mar David, Russian Petiza and Johann Chua, along with NBS¡¯s Manolo Tanasas took the berths.
Four slots were also allotted to Bacolod , Four in Northern Luzon and two in Mindanao . The remaining berths will be filled in a qualifier in Cebu days before the tournament proper.
Sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Villar Cup Cebu leg will also have separate competitions for elementary, high school and amateur cue artists, which will be held from June 14 to 18.
By Press Release - 2008-06-04
Former two-time World Juniors campaigner Rene Mar David booked a slot to the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg after scoring back-to-back victories in a special qualifying tournament for topnotchers in the Search for the Billiards Idol Friday at the New Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.
The 18-year-old David, now playing for Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, first trounced stablemate Emil Martinez, 7-1, and then proceeded to subdue Chris Bombita, 7-4, to lead three others in securing a ticket to P1-million tournament slated June 20 to 22 at the Atrium of SM City Cebu in Cebu City.
¡°I¡¯m so happy that I made it. This is my biggest accomplishment since I joined the BMPAP (Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines),¡± said David. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m very thankful to them (BMPAP) for accepting me, and now I realized this is the right organization to join if I want to become a good player.¡±
Joining David in filling the four slots put at stake for the top 16 overall finishers in the inaugural season of Billiards Idol were fellow Bugsy boys Russian Petiza and Johann ¡°Bubwit¡± Chua, as well as Manolo Tanasas of Negros Billiards Stable.
Petiza, who made a name following his fifth-place finish in the San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship last March, defeated in succession Mike Takayama, 7-2, and Jomar de Ocampo, 7-4, while Chua beat Mark Mendoza, 7-5, and Joey Pardales, 7-2. Tanasas turned back Benjie Guevarra and stablemate Godofredo Ducanes via a similar 7-4 decision.
The four qualifiers will join seeded players Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Ronnie Alcano, Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez, Gandy Valle, Joven Bustamante, Rodolfo Luat, Lee Van Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Carlo Biado, Jharome Pena, Jundel Mason, Ramil Gallego, Ricky Zerna, Elmer Haya, Rubilen Amit, Mary Ann Basas and Benson Palce.
The rest of the slots in the 64-man field in this tournament, coorganized by BMPAP and Sunstar Superbalita, supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stable, and sponsored by Camella Communities, will be field through a series of qualifiers in Bacolod (4 slots), Tuguegarao (2), Pangasinan (2), Davao (2) and Cebu (30).
Other who competed in the Villar Cup Cebu Leg Billiards Idol Special Qualifier were Egie Geronimo, Panfilo Damuag, Roberto Dy, Patrick Gonzales and William Millares.
Geronimo and Martinez, along with Richard Pornelosa and Michael Feliciano, booked a ticket to fly to Cebu to join the qualifying tournament there after coming victors in an exclusive tournament for Bugsy Promotions players Friday night at the Bugsy¡¯s Lair in Quezon City.
By Press Release - 2008-05-31
The top 16 players from the inaugural season of the Search for the New Billiards Idol mix it up in a special tournament for the four slots to the main draw of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg slated from June 20 to 22 at the Atrium of SM City Cebu in Cebu City .
These up-and-coming cue artists are the ones who accumulated the most number of points in the seven stages of the first major grassroots development project of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) in cooperation with Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, Puyat Sports of Aristeo "Putch" Puyat and Negros Billiards Stable of Jonathan Sy.
The special tournament will be held on Friday at the AMF-Puyat Billards Center in New Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City .
Leading the field are Jomar de Ocampo and William Millares, who both won a leg and consistently fared well in other stages. The two 20-year-old rising stars have garnered a total of 235 BMPAP ranking points to share to top spot in the Billiards Idol overall ladder.
Joining them in the Qualifier are Panfilo Damuag (215 points), first leg winner Mark Mendoza (215), Leg no.4 champion Benjie Guevarra (210), Leg no.6 titlist Egie Geronimo (185), Manolo Tanasas (180), Leg no.5 winner Russian Petiza (175), Godofredo Ducanes (170), second leg champion Roberto Dy (170), Patrick Gonzales (150), Chris Bombita (145), Joey Pardales (145), Mike Takayama (130), Johann Chua (120) and Renemar David (120).
The top four finishers will join the 20 seeded players and qualifiers from Bacolod (4), Davao (2), Tuguegarao (2), Pangasinan (2) and Cebu (28), along with two foreign players, in vying for the handsome Villar Cup and the P400,000 top purse that goes with it.
Among the seeded players are Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, Alex Pagulayan, Ronnie Alcano, Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez, Gandy Valle, Joven Bustamante, Rodolfo Luat, Lee Van Corteza, and Villar Cup opening leg champion Warren Kiamco.
Also getting an outright slot to the tournament proper for their impressive performance in recent local and international tournaments are Carlo Biado, Jharome Pena, Jundel Mason, Ramil Gallego, Ricky Zerna, Elmer Haya, Rubilen Amit, Mary Ann Basas and Villar Cup Sipag at Tiyaga division titlist Benson Palce.
By Press Release - 2008-05-28
William Millares edged Godofredo Ducanes, 9-8, in finals to complete a sweep and crown himself champion of the seventh leg of the Search for the New Billiards Idol Sunday night at the Bugsy¡¯s Lair in Quezon City.
It was a breakthrough triumph for the 20-year-old Millares, a rising star of FE Promotions of Sta. Maria Bulacan councilor Fe Ramos, as he finally got to hold the Billiards Idol baton after coming up short a number of times.
Millares became the seventh winner of this in this twice-a-month competition organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) after Mark Mendoza, Roberto Dy, Jomar de Ocampo, Benjie Guevarra, Petiza and Egie Geronimo.
Prior to upending Ducanes of Jonathan Sy¡¯s Negros Billiards Stable, Millares, a resident of Binondo, Manila, trounced in succession Elmer Haya (7-5), Rommel Villanueva (7-3), Mike Takayama (7-3), Chris Bombita (7-2) and Johann Chua (7-5) to pocket the P10,000 top purse at stake in this tournament supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sport, NBS and Association of Club Karaoke and Disco Operators (ACKDO) and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Ducanes settled for the runner-up pot of P5,000. He made to the finals after beating Mac Querubin (7-4), John Rebong (7-4), Jetjet Leonares (7-5) and Manolo Tanasas (7-6).
By Press Release - 2008-05-26
For his strong finishes in the first two major pool tournaments this year, current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo earn the honor as the country¡¯s top-ranked cue artist in the ranking released yesterday by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
Orcollo, a stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, garnered a total of 1,950 points for his title conquest of the First San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship last March and his quarterfinals finish in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup earlier this month.
¡°I¡¯m happy to know that I¡¯m also the number one player here in the Philippines ,¡± said the 29-year-old pool master from Bislig, Surigao del Sur. ¡°But my goal is to finally become a world champion, and that¡¯s what I¡¯m working hard for now.¡±
According to BMPAP spokesman Edwin Reyes, the ranking, which will be updated every quarter of the year, is based on the performance of a player only in tournaments played in the country.
¡°This is like the ATP ranking in tennis and this will be one of the bases in determining who the BMPAP will send in international competitions,¡± Reyes said.
Villar Cup Top Guns Challenge champion Warren Kiamco of Jonathan Sy¡¯s Negros Billiards Stable took the second spot with 1,760.
Pool icon Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes and 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez are tied at third with 1,160 points each. Reyes got bulk of his points from his runner-up finish to Kiamco in the finals of the Villar Cup, while Gomez got his from his second-place feat in SMB-QC tilt.
Rising star Russian Petiza is at no.5 with 1,113 points, bunch of which came from his fifth-place finish in the SMB-QC 9-Ball. He also strong finishes in the Search for the New Billiards Idol, which includes a leg victory.
At sixth spot is former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle with 1,050 points, followed by Ramil Gallego (975), Lee Van Corteza (935), Elmer Haya (935) and Benjie Guevarra (915).
Another top young prospects Carlo Biado and Ricky Zerna is at no.11 and no.12 with 895 and 783 points, respectively, while Japan-based veteran campaigner Ruel Esquillo got 728 points to occupy the 13th spot, and Jharome Pena is at no.14 with 725 points.
Former world no.1 Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, who was a semifinalist in the SMB-QC 9-Ball and was abroad during the Villar Cup, is tied with fellow Puyat Sports mainstay Rodolfo Luat for 15th place with 675 points each.
Rounding up the top 20 are upstart William Millares of FGR Stable with 668 points, two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano with 635 points, Dondon Razalan with 590 points and Godofredo Ducanes with 578 points.
By Press Release - 2008-05-25
CEBU ? The royalties of world of pool gather for the very first time in this ¡° Queen City of the South" to vie for the top honor and a huge pot in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg ? a Sunstar Superbalita 9-Ball Challenge, slated from June 20 to 22 at the Atrium of SM City Cebu.
With no less than King Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes wielding his magic, this second stop of the Villar Cup will surely be another world-class event.
¡°As I¡¯ve said during our kickoff leg, I will bring the Villar Cup to the provinces to give our kababayans a chance to see in flesh our world-class Filipino billiards players, and give those aspiring players there a chance to compete with them,¡± Senator Villar said during the press conference Friday at the Bravio Sports Bar.
¡°Now, it¡¯s coming here in Cebu ,¡± declared Villar.
More than one million pesos are at stake in this tournament, a project of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), coorganized by Sunstar, supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stable, and sponsored by Camella Homes.
Besides Reyes, also competing for the handsome Villar Cup ? and the P400,000 top purse that goes with it ? are fellow former world champions Ronnie Alcano and Alex Pagulayan, former world no.1 Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante, current world¡¯s top-ranked cue artist Dennis Orcollo, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza and former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, among others.
Three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Warren Kiamco, who ruled the Villar Cup first leg last May 10 at the StarMall Alabang in Muntinlupa City, will also be out to defend his title right in his hometown.
¡°We¡¯re very thankful to Senator Villar for sponsoring this kind of tournament and for supporting billiards in general,¡± said Alcano, who was also present in the press conference along with Gomez and Valle, as well as Sunstar vice-president for marketing Julius Neri, HR manager Atty. Raymond Garcia and tournament head organizer Chris Rodriguez.
¡°In return, we promise that we will play our best.¡± added Gomez.
Valle, who is also the BMPAP secretary-general, said: ¡°We hope we could inspire our kababayans here in Cebu to take up the sport and help sustain our world dominance in it.¡±
A total of 64 players will see action in the main draw with 18 of them seeded, while the rest will come from a series of qualifying tournaments to be held in key cities all over the country.
The other seeded players are Rodolfo Luat, Joven Bustamante, Jharome Pena, Carlo Biado, Ramil Gallego, Ricky Zerna, Antonio Lining, Elmer Haya and Villar Cup first leg Sipag at Tiyaga division champion Benson Palce.
Four slots will be disputed in a qualifying tournament in Manila , four in Bacolod , two in Tuguegarao, two in Davao and two in Dagupan. The remaining berths will be filled in a qualifier in Cebu days before the tournament proper.
Sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Villar Cup Cebu leg will also have separate competitions for elementary, high school and amateur cue artists.
By Press Release - 2008-05-23
Dozens of aspiring cue artists gather anew to vie for the coveted baton and a lot more when the Search for the New Billiards Idol resumes with its seventh leg this weekend at the AMF-Puyat Billiards Center in New Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City .
This will be the final stage of the first season of this twice-a-month series of tournaments organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP). And as promised, the top performers from all the previous legs will be in for a bonus tournament.
The top 16 players who garner the most ranking points will compete for six slots to the main draw of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament Cebu leg slated from June 20 to 22 in SM City Cebu.
Egie Geronimo, who won the sixth leg earlier this month, will be back to defend the Billiards Idol baton.
He will be challenged by the likes of fellow Bugsy boys Jomar de Ocampo, Mike Takayama, Johann Chua, Patrick Gonzales and Richard Pornelosa, Negros Billiards Stables (NBS)¡¯s Mark Mendoza and Panfilo Damuag, and FGR Stable¡¯s William Millares and Joey Pardales.
A total pot of P20,000, including the top prize of P10,000, will be up for grabs in this tournament supported by Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, NBS of Jonathan Sy and Puyat Sports of billiards godfather Aristeo ¡°Putch¡± Puyat. The runner-up will get P5,000, while the two losing semifinalist will receive P2,500 each.
¡°With the success of this first season, we at the BMPAP has decided to make the succeeding seasons of Billiards Idol a nationwide event as we will hold our next legs in the provinces,¡± said BMPAP secretary-general Gandy Valle, who is also the tournament director of this event sponsored by the Association of Club, Karaoke and Disco Operators (ACKDO).
Among the places the Billiards Idol will visit are Davao , Bacolod , Tuguegarao, Cebu , and General Santos City .
The tournament is open to all cue artists except those who are already in the so-called ¡°Class O¡± or all-star level at a token entry fee of only P200.
The tournament will start at 12 noon , and for further details, contact Valle at 0916-958-9897, Edwin Reyes at 0926-724-9055 or Jojo Santos at 0915-700-800
By Press Release - 2008-05-21
After its highly-successful kickoff, the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament travels to Cebu for its second leg slated from June 20 to 22.
The country¡¯s top world-class cue artists, led by pool icon Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, will see action in the event, which offers a total prize pot of more than P1 million.
¡°Just like what Senator Villar said, we are bringing the Manny Villar Cup to the provinces to give our kababayans a chance to see in flesh our world-class Filipino billiards players, and give those aspiring players there a chance to compete with them,¡± said Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) president Atty. Vic Rodriguez.
¡°After this, we also hold tournaments in Davao , Bacolod , Dumaguete and Tuguegarao, among others to really uphold our goals of further developing the sport in the country, and we¡¯re very thankful to Senator Villar for helping us in this endeavor,¡± he added.
Newly-crowned World Pool Masters champion Alex Pagulayan will also compete in the event, where he is technically the defending champion having won last year¡¯s tournament in Cebu .
Also vying in the tournament supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and Sunstar Superbalita are former two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, former world no.1 Francisco ¡°Django¡± Bustamante and Villar Cup first leg champion Warren Kiamco.
By Event Staff - 2008-05-17
Warren Kiamco bounced back from an early three-rack deficit and then held on to beat Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes, 11-6, to rule the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament yesterday before a jampacked crowd at the Sports Center of StarMall Alabang in Muntinlupa City.
Playing against a pool icon backed by an overwhelming majority of the more than 1,000 spectators, Kiamco stood his ground to complete his rise from the one-lose side to hoist the Villar Cup and bag the P400,000 top purse in this P1 million-plus event.
¡°Finally,¡± blurted the 38-year-old Cebuano, who previous claim to fame was his becoming a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in 2003. ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I won a tournament this big, and I¡¯m very happy and proud of it.¡±
¡°This title is more special to because I won it against Efren, the best player in the world,¡± added the stalwart of the rising Negros Billiards Stable of businessman Jonathan Sy.
It was a tough road Kiamco trekked before becoming the last man standing in this five-day competition organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), and supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports, NBS and Star Mall.
After winning his opening match against Jharome Pena, Kiamco lost to Jundel Mazon to fall into the complicated losers¡¯ bracket.. There, he had to beat stablemate Panfilo Damuag for a slot to the knockout stage.
He then defeated fellow veteran internationalist Rodolfo Luat in the Last 16, another stablemate Elmer Haya in the quarterfinals and former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, 9-5, in the semifinals to arrange a title-showdown with Reyes.
Reyes came into the match undefeated in four previous outings, including a 9-5 thumping of reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza in the Final-Four.
¡°It was a good game. I have no dry breaks although I have some missed shots after my big start,¡± said Reyes who was personally congratulated by Senate President Villar after his win against Corteza.
Villar, overwhelmed by the huge crowd and great appreciation of the billiards community, reiterated his support to the sport.
¡°This is just the beginning of my all out supports to billiards because this is one of the sports were Pinoys have great potentials to excel,¡± Villar said.
¡°BMPAP officials expressed their gratitude to Villar whom they now considered as their biggest benefactor.
¡°I hope this tournament did serve as an inspiration to new and up and coming pool players. And BMPAP together with numerous sponsors are going to give you more of this. BMAP also extends our outmost gratitude to Senator Many Villar and his warm staff. It was a very festive event,¡± said Perry Mariano.
In the finals, Reyes won the lag but it was Kiamco, who pocketed the opening rack. Then after splitting the next two frames, Reyes uncorked a 4-0 run to seize a 5-2 lead.
But Kiamco, who has ¡°warrior¡± as one of his monikers, didn¡¯t budge, and as soon as he got back at the table on the eighth rack, he unleashed an even longer 5-0 blast, capped by a golden break, to retake the driver¡¯s seat at 7-5.
A dry break on the 13th frame allowed Reyes back at the table, and he cleaned it up to close at 7-6. But the chance of tying the match at 7-all fizzled after Reyes broke dry and Kiamco immediately grabbed the opportunity to pad his lead and coast to victory.
Reyes, who leaves today for the United States to compete in the Predator International 10-Ball Championship, settled for the runner-up purse of P200,000, while Valle and Corteza brought home P50,000 each for reaching the semifinals.
By Tournament Staff - 2008-05-10
Former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle romped off to a strong start and then held his ground against repeated comeback tries waged by Ramil Gallego en route to a 9-5 victory and a seat to the quarterfinals of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament yesterday at the Sports Center of StarMall Alabang in Muntinlupa City.
This as tournament top draw Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes strung up eight consecutive racks to bounce back from a 3-1 deficit and thump rising star Benjie Guevarra, 9-3, to likewise advance into the Last 8.
Seeing action for just the second time in this P1 million-plus event after luckily drawing a bye in the first round and then trouncing reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, 8-3, in the second, Valle explosively opened his duel with Gallego, quickly racing to a 7-2 lead.
But just when he thought that he would coast to an easy win, Valle was surprised when, after a timeout, Gallego came out smoking and ran out three consecutive racks to threaten at 7-5, before his break of the 13th frame went dry, allowing Valle back to the table for the finishing touches.
¡°I¡¯m really determined to win this. It¡¯s been so long since I last won a tournament this big,¡± said Valle, whose last major title was the 2007 Ocean State 9-Ball Tournament in New York.
He was to face fellow Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Lining, who repeated over 2007 national juniors champion Mark Mendoza, 9-6, in their Last 16 match.
Also moving a step closer to the P400,000 top purse in this five-day competition organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), and supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and Star Mall are Warren Kiamco and Elmer Haya.
Kiamco, a former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, made mincemeat of fellow veteran internationalist Rodolfo Luat, 9-3, while Haya, a 31-year-old rising star from Zamboanga, upended Joven Bustamante, 9-4.
Both Kiamco and Haya are stalwarts of Jonathan Sy¡¯s NBS, but only one of them will advance to the semifinals, as they drew each other in the quarterfinals set to be played last night.
The three other Last 16 matches are being played at presstime with current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo slugging out with Ricky Zerna, Corteza facing off with Carlo Biado, and Jundel Mazon playing with Jharome Pena.
Meanwhile, Joey Pardales stretched his unbeaten run to six matches to show the way in the Search for the New Billiards Idol Sipag at Tiyaga Edition, which is now down to four contenders.
The 21-year-old Pardales, a native of Valenzuela City and member of the FGR Stable of Sta. Maria, Bulacan councilor Fe Ramos, turned back fellow upstarts Ricky Gamboa and John Rebong with a similar 7-5 decision to loom as the favorite to bag the P200,000 top prize and the equally-prestigious Sen. Manny Villar Sipag at Tiyaga trophy.
Pardales will next face Arnel Bautista of Marikina City, who demolished William Millares, 7-1, in their quarterfinals duel.
The other Final-Four match pits Benson Palce of Pila, Laguna against Ato Baliton of Plaridel Bulacan. Palce made it to the semis after trouncing JR Sorio of Samar, 7-3, while Baliton held off Eljun Abellana of Cebu, 7-6.
By Event Staff - 2008-05-09
Former two-time world champion Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes lived up to his other nickname ¡°The Magician¡± to survive erstwhile conqueror Joven Bustamante via a come-from-behind 8-7 victory on Thursday and entered the Top 16 of the 1st Senate President Manny Villar Cup billiards tournament at the Starmall sportscenter in Alabang, Muntilupa.
The 54-year-year Reyes had a series of dry breaks in the early going of the match and found himself trailing by three racks, 7-4, to the frustration of big crowd who watched the third day of the tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
Reyes finally got a chance to escape the loss when Bustamante got struck by a dry break in what could be a deciding the 12th rack, allowing Reyes to unleash the big rally to the delight of the more than 500 fans.
Reyes sent the crowd roaring when he sank a tough-angled four-nine combination in the 14th rack. He then ran out the final rack to complete another Houdini act, and rolled into the knockout stage of this P1 million-plus event.
With his victory, Reyes joined Ramil Gallego, Warren Kiamco and Mark Mendoza who defeated respective rivals in the losers¡¯ bracket to barge into the knockout stage of the tournament.
Gallego defeated Mary Ann Basas and Kiamco ousted Panfilo Damu-ag, 8-4, while 18-year-old Mendoza also came from behind to eliminate veteran Eduardo Villanueva, 8-7.
The loss sent the 29-year-old Bustamante in a knockout match against former double-world champion Ronnie Alcano for the right to advance in the next stage.
Other players who already made it to the Top 16 include: reigning world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, Antonio Lining, Gande Valle, Rodolfo Luat, Elmer Haya, Carlo Biado and Jundel Mazon.
By Event Staff - 2008-05-08
Benjie Guevarra once again proved that he is indeed one of the rising stars of Philippine billiards as he scored a stunning 8-4 upset of former double world champion Ronnie Alcano yesterday at the start of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament at the Sports Center of StarMall Alabang in Muntinlupa City.
The 30-year-old Guevarra, a member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, came up with superb pocketing took and control of the cue ball as he caught Alcano flatfooted for the victory that highlighted eventful opening day of this P1 million-plus tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).
¡°I¡¯m very happy that I won, as I was really determined to prove that I can be one of them,¡± said Guevarra, once the country¡¯s top snooker player before shifting his focus to billiards.
He was elevated to compete with the country¡¯s top cue artists in the Top Guns Challenge only after winning the fourth leg of the Search for the New Billiards Idol.
¡°I was not intimidated by Ronnie because I¡¯ve already faced him a number of times before. I actually felt lucky I drew him this early because he is more dangerous when facing elimination,¡± added the 2007 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist.
Guevarra actually started the match on a wrong foot, winning the lag but surrendered the first two racks his heavily-favored opponent.
But as soon as Alcano committed the first of his many uncharacteristic mistakes, Guevarra readily seized the opportunity and pocketed seven of the next eight racks to turn the tide in his favor and reach the hill with plenty to spare.
A dry break of the 11th rack allowed Alcano to notch his fourth point, but this proved to be his last as his poor safety shot of the yellow-1 in the succeeding rack gave the table back to Guevarra, who wasted no time in closing the match.
The win put Guevarra in a second-round encounter with fellow rising star Elmer Haya of the Negros Billiards Stable of Jonathan Sy. Haya drew a first-round bye.
Alcano, on the other hand, dropped to the complicated one-loss side, where he must avoid another defeat to keep his bid for the title and the P400,000 that goes with it.
Also winning the first matches were current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza, former Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Lining and another top young prospect in Russian Petiza.
Orcollo, who won Quezon City 9-Ball Championship last March, made mincemeat of Ricky Zerna, 8-3, while Corteza trounced Mary Ann Basas, 8-4, and Lining downed 2007 national juniors titlist Mark Mendoza, 8-5. Petiza demolished Panfilo Damuag, 8-2.
In the Billiards Idol Sipag at Tiyaga Edition, Bugsy boys Mike Takayama, Emil Martinez, Michael Feliciano and Renemar David won their respective opening matches to show the way in the 120-man field of third-tiered players who flocked to vie for the P200,000 top purse and the equally-handsome Manny Villar Sipag at Tiyaga trophy.
Takayama blanked Ferdinand Villanueva, 5-0; Martinez edged stablemate Egie Geronimo, 5-4; Feliciano shutout Jireh Pugayo, 5-0; and David, the 2006 World Juniors campaigner, outlasted Ryan Cimafranca, 5-3.
A short and simple opening ceremony ushered that start of the competition. There, Senator Villar declared his all-out support to billiards, which he called ¡°as the sport we can call our own.¡±
¡°Billiards is already one of the most popular sports in the world, and we should take advantage of having the top players and continue to develop the sport,¡± said Villar, who was joined by BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain, managers Aristeo ¡°Putch¡± Puyat, Mariano and Sy, and players led by Efren ¡°Bata¡± Reyes.
By Press Release - 2008-05-06
Pages:12
| |
