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Villar Cup 9-ball on today
Written by staff   
Tuesday, 06 May 2008 02:25

{mosimage}The First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Billiards Tournament fires off today at the Sports Center of Star Mall Alabang in Muntinlupa City.

Led by Efren "Bata" Reyes, the players coming from all over the country will vie for a lion’s share of the P1 million-plus pot in this two-in-one tournament serving as the highlight of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP)’s month-long celebration of the "Philippine Billiards Holidays." Reyes, who is taking his time off from a tight schedule in the United States to participate in this event, banners the field of top-tiered local players competing in the Top Guns Challenge, which offers a champion purse of P400,000.

The 54-year-old Magician will mix it up with two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, current world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, 2007 World Pool Championship runner-up Roberto Gomez, former Asian Games gold medalist Gandy Valle, reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza and veteran internationalists Warren Kiamco, Antonio Lining, Rodolfo Luat and other world-class Filipino cue artists.

Also vying in the Top Guns Challenge are top rising stars Joven Bustamante, Carlo Biado, Jharome Pena, Russian Petiza, Benjie Guevarra, Ricky Zerna, Jundel Mason, Elmer Haya, Panfilo Damuag, Cebu’s William Chua and 2007 national juniors champion Mark Mendoza, and veteran campaigners Eduardo Villanueva, Godofredo Ducanes and Roel Esquillo, and top lady players Rubilen Amit and Mary Ann Basas.

On the other hand, over a hundred hopefuls are expected to compete in the Search for the New Billiards Idol Sipag at Tiyaga Edition, where a R200,000 top prize and the equally-prestigious Sipag at Tiyaga trophy are up for grabs.

A simple opening ceremony ushers the start of this five-day competition with no less than Senate President Manny Villar doing the ceremonial break and declaring the games open. He will be joined by BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez, chairman Isaac Belmonte and managers Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, Perry Mariano and Jonathan Sy.

"Billiards is one of the sports where we Filipinos can make our own, and I’m very happy to be part of it through this tournament," said Villar. "Seeing more and more Filipinos getting international fame in billiards, support for this sport should be encouraged and enhanced."

"Billiards now matches the popularity of basketball among Filipinos, especially the youth and our poor countrymen. Villar Cup is our own little way of encouraging our youth to engage in sports, and move them away from illegal drugs," Villar added.

Apart from the two events, the Villar Cup also offers the much-anticipated encounter between Reyes and Alcano, who will engage in a race-to-four rotation match on the final day of this event supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and Star Mall.

The Villar Cup is the second major tournament of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) after the highly successful San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-Ball Championship last March. Its finals will be shown on Solar Sports.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 May 2008 02:28
 
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