‘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.

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.

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).

Gomez, 2 Others Vie in Fujairah Tilt

Newly-crowned Villar Cup champion Roberto “Superman” Gomez, along with fellow Bugsy boys Ronnie Alcano and Gandy Valle left the country yesterday to compete in the Ramadan 9-Ball Invitational Championship starting today in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

After breaking out from a string of runner-up finishes with that title romp in the Davao leg of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup, Gomez hopes to sustain his topnotch form, reap more crowns and affirm his tag as one of the country’s best cue artists today.

“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.

The three Filipinos, whose campaign is supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines and Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, were personally invited by the organizers to compete against some of the world’s top players for the $10,000 top purse in this five-day event.

Like Gomez, Valle is also looking to sustain his good performance this year, which started after he ruled 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 snap 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.

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

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.

BMPAP petitions Ombudsman to probe BSCP

Officials of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines are facing charges of malversation of funds allegedly committed when they hosted the World Pool Championship two years ago.

The Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines Thursday filed a petition before the Ombudsman to determine whether public funds were technically misappropriated when the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) financially supported the staging in 2006 and 2007 of the WPC, which was organized by the BSCP and Raya Sports.

The BMPAP said there was conflict of interest when BSCP and Raya Sports, the private firm responsible for marketing the WPC, solicited public funds intended for the biggest nine-ball competition in the world.

BSCP chair and Raya Sports president Florentino “Yen” Makabenta said he hasn’t heard about the complaint and would issue a statement as soon as his lawyers get a copy of BMPAP’s petition.

“We need a copy of the complaint. We can’t react without it,” Makabenta told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

Cue artist Roberto Gomez, last year’s WPC runner-up, signed the petition and personally handed it to Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni.

Gomez was accompanied by former world champion Alex Pagulayan, billiards player Carlo Biado and BMPAP lawyers Michael Mejia and Jerome De Guzman.

“We write not to besmirch the reputation of Pagcor, BSCP and Raya and their respective officials,” said Gomez.

The petitioners declared it received information that a fraction of the Philippine Sports Commission’s share in the gross income of Pagcor “was not remitted but was instead used for the sponsorship of the WPC.”

Gomez rules Davao leg

Finally, the Superman soared high. Roberto Gomez, called Superman, finally broke out from a series of runner-up finishes as he defeated former champion and top hometown bet Gandy Valle, 11-4, in the finals of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Davao City leg.

The Gomez-Valle showdown was an all-Bugsy finals and was played before a mammoth Saturday crowd at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall. The Davao fans were hoping to see Valle win, but it was Gomez who took home the crown after the lopsided titular clash.

It was a breakthrough feat for Gomez, the 29-year-old pride of Zamboanga who rose to prominence -- albeit with a sour distinction, when he came up second in the 2007 World Pool Championship in Manila, losing to Englishman Darryl Peach in the finals riddled with "comedy of errors."

"Finally!" screamed Gomez, who romped off to a strong start and did not give Valle an opportunity to recover en route to becoming the fourth winner of this topnotch island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

Gomez received the P300,000 top purse from Villar during the awarding ceremony, also graced by Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte and Davao Representative Vincent Garcia, as well as former Cavite congressman Gilbert Remulla. Valle, the champion of the Villar Cup Cebu Leg last June, settled for the second-place honor and the P120,000 cash prize at stake in this three-day tournament sponsored by Camella Communities.

"I'm so sick and tired of always being a runner-up, which I've been almost a dozen of times, including that World Pool defeat, which continues to haunt me up to now," said Gomez, one of the top players of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano. "So when I entered the finals, I told myself that there's no way I'm going to let this one slip away and I'll do all my best to win. Thank God I did," he added.

Gomez lost the lag but took the opening rack after Valle missed a tough-angled shot of the red-3. That ignited Gomez's run, where he scored seven of the first nine racks for a commanding 7-2 lead.

Valle, easily the favorite of the close to 7,000 Davaoeño crowd to win the crown, could only add two more racks across his name as he failed in his bid to become the first double winner of the series. "I really wanted to win this for my fellow Davaoeños, but breaks didn't come my way," said Valle, a former Asian Games gold medalist.

Before facing Valle, Gomez had to endure a tough grind. He opened his campaign by beating two-time world juniors campaigner Rene Mar David, 9-4, before repulsing another rising star Elmer Haya, 9-6, in the second round. That set him up with a quarterfinals encounter with former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, whom he narrowly beat, 9-7. In the semis, Gomez got off to a good start but had a hard time in disposing off reigning world no.1 Dennis Orcollo before escaping with a 10-7 win.

Valle made it to the finals by subduing stablemate Carlo Biado, 10-8, in their Final Four match.

Gomez ends title drought in Davao

DAVAO CITY—There was no denying Roberto Gomez this time.

Gomez, best remembered for winding up runner-up in the 2007 World Pool Championship, routed local pool idol Gandy Valle, 11-4, Saturday night to rule the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Davao leg at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall here.

“Finally!” screamed Gomez, after Valle threw in the towel even with two balls left in the final rack, handing Zamboanga’s pride the crown and the P300,000 that goes with it.

The 29-year-old Gomez, who faltered in the crucial stages of the WPC finals against Englishman Darryl Peach, breezed to a 7-2 lead and was never threatened by Valle, the Cebu leg winner of the island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

Valle settled for second and P120,000 in the tournament backed by Camella Communities.

“I’m so sick and tired of always being a runner-up, which I’ve been almost a dozen of times,” said Gomez, admitting that the World Pool defeat continues to haunt him.

Gomez lost the lag but won the opening rack after Valle missed a tough-angled shot on the red-3, sparking the runaway win that somewhat disappointed the nearly 7,000 fans.

“I really wanted to win this for my fellow Davaoeños, but breaks didn’t come my way,” said Valle, a former Asian Games gold medalist.

En route to the finals, Gomez beat two-time World Juniors campaigner Rene Mar David, 9-4, in the opener; rising star Elmer Haya, 9-6, in the second round; former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 9-7, in the quarterfinals; and world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 10-7, in the semifinals.

Gomez draws inspiration from daughter

Newly crowned First Senate President Manny Villar Cup 9-Ball Open Davao City leg champion Roberto "Superman" Gomez of Zamboanga City offered his victory to his one-year-old daughter Samantha.

"Para sa anak ko ito. Inspirado akong maglaro at manalo dahil sa kaniya. Masayang-masaya ako sa panalong ito. Malaking pasalamat ko at binigyan ako ng Diyos ng magagandang breaks (This is for my child. I'm inspired to play and win because of her. I'm very happy with this victory. I thank God for giving me good breaks)," Gomez told Sun.Star Davao after crushing Gandy Valle, 11-4 in the finals Saturday night at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall.

The 29-year-old Gomez, a runner-up in the 2007 World Pool Championship in Manila, said it was great to play against Valle, 31, whom he cited as a player who can really clean up the table. "But I just really got lucky with my breaks while he struggled with his," Gomez said. Valle, an Asian Games gold medalist Valle who ruled the Villards Cup Cebu Leg in June, trailed early in the match, 1-5, as he succumbed to costly safety errors and miscues.

Gomez also capitalized on Valle's three straight dry breaks to control the match when he led at 10-4. In the 15th rack, Valle threw in the towel while Gomez was set to shoot the black 8-ball to the applause of the spectators. Later, Valle admitted he couldn't make good his breaks. "I really had bad breaks. It was his game all throughout. I'm happy for him," he said.

Valle's wife Rosyl added: "I'm happy that he (Valle) made it to the finals although he didn't win the title. Well, he has already won the Cebu leg. It's good somebody else won the Davao leg." Gomez bagged the P300,000 top prize, while Valle received P120,000 from Senator Villar, who personally awarded the prizes.

Former world champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan, meanwhile, entertained the crowd with his antics and trick shots albeit a handful of tries to perfect them after the championship match. Efren "Bata" Reyes also wowed the appreciative crowd with his magical shots as he defeated two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, 5-1, in their 15-ball rotation exhibition match witnessed by Villar, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and former Cavite congressman Gilbert Remulla.

"Masayang-masaya po ang experience na makapaglaro dito sa Davao kasama ang mga pinakamagagaling na Filipino players sa mundo. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa oportunidad na binigay sa amin ni Senator Villar na makalaro dito at mapanood ng mga taga-Davao (It's a good experience to be able to play with the best players in the world right here in Davao. We're thankful to Senator Villar for giving us the opportunity to play here and be witnessed by Dabawenyos)," Reyes said.

The next stop of the Villards Cup: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports, sponsored by Senator Villar in cooperation of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), is set in the Visayas.

Valle, Gomez forge title clash for Villar Cup top plum

Local pool idol Gandy Valle thwarted Carlo Biado’s fiery rally to win, 10-8, on Saturday and forge a title duel with Roberto Gomez in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Davao leg at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall here.

The in-form Gomez, the 2007 World Pool runner-up, bested current world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo, 10-7, in the other semifinal of the event that lured the country’s top cue artists to this city celebrating its Kadayawan Festival.

The 31-year-old Valle and Gomez will clash in the race-to-11 finals slated last night, with the winner bagging P300,000 plus trophy.

His win over Biado put Valle at the threshold of becoming the first two-leg winner of the island-hopping series presented by Villiards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports in partnership with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

“I’m very happy to go this far in this very tough field,” said Valle, winner of the Cebu leg last June. “The pressure of playing in front of my fellow Davaoeños is so big, and I’m very glad I was able to handle it. I just hope I could continue to do so in the finals,” added Valle, who trounced Joven Bustamante, 9-5, in the quarterfinals Friday night.

Valle is likely to encounter rough sailing against Gomez, who also downed former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, 9-7, in the quarterfinals of the event backed by Camella Communities and supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and Gaisano Mall.

Starting hot, Valle took four of the first five racks. He, however, bungled a relatively easy shot on the red-3 in the sixth frame, allowing La Union’s Biado to recover.

World 9-ball finalist Gomez wins Davao stop of Villar Cup

Roberto Gomez defeated Gandy Valle 11-4 to win the Davao City leg of the Manny Villar 9-ball Cup Saturday night at the Gaisano Mall.

Gomez received P300,000, while Valle pocketed P120,000.

Gomez lost the lag but he took the opening rack after Valle missed a tough-angled shot of the red-3. That ignited Gomez’s run, where he scored seven of the first nine racks to take a 7-2 lead and coast to the title.

Before he faced Valle, Gomez had to endure a tough grind. He opened his campaign by beating two-time world juniors campaigner Rene Mar David 9-4 before downing another rising star Elmer Haya, 9-6, in the second round.

That set Gomez up for a quarterfinals encounter with former double world champion Ronnie Alcano, whom he narrowly beat 9-7.

In the semis, Gomez just had enough nerves in the end game to escape with a 10-7 win over world no.1 Dennis Orcollo.

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.

Roberto Gomez 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.