MARK MENDOZA RULE INAUGURAL RP JUNIOR POOL

Mark Aristotle Mendoza lift his cue stick after his triumphFinal pay outs: rankings (64 player's field)Champion: Mark Aristotle Mendoza (P50,000)2nd place: Jordan Legaspi (P25,000)3rd place: John Carlo Cerna (P15,000)4th place: Johann Chua (P7,500)5th/6th place: Alvin Punzalan (P4,000) and Sean Mark Malayan (P4,000)7th/8th place: Michael Angelo Mengorio (P2,000) and Patrick Gonzales (P2,000)MANILA, PHILIPPINES---MARK ARISTOTLE "MAC-MAC" MENDOZA added another feather to his cap after winning the inauguration of Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP)-Magnolia Health Tea Philippine Junior Pool Championship late Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.The 18-year-old Jolo, Mandaluyong City resident Mendoza, who teaming up with Carlo Biado in the country's first-ever SMC Doubles 10-ball settled for a runner-up finish late Friday at the Metro Walk in Pasig City, needed one and half hours to beat Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue, Bulacan, 11-3, in the finals to capture the top prize of P50,000. Legaspi on the other hand, received the runner-up place of P25,000 for his effort.Mendoza joins outright seeded player Renemar "Revo" David to represent the country's tricolors in the forthcoming 2007 World Junior Pool Championship on November 27 to 29 in Willington, Germany. The Barangay Botocan, Quezon City David, make it to the round-of-8 in the last year's World Junior Sydney edition.

The three-day Magnolia Health Tea and e-aji-dip snax sponsored event is open to all Male 19-year-old and below which attracted 64 cue artists jointly organized by Raya Sports and Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) headed by its president Ernesto Fajardo and chairman Yen Makabenta.After winning the opening lag, Mendoza took advantage of his powerful break to jump out to quick 2-1, 6-2 to 10-2 lead in the race-to-11 finals using the winners break format. "Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Poong Maykapal kasi natupad ang dasal ko po. S'yempre kasama na din nagbunga 'yung paghahanda ko dito," said the young and amiable Mendoza, who inspired to play because the presence of his father Ferdinand Mendoza, who work Nurse in Libya watching the sideline.

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by: Marlon bernardino

BUBWIT CHUA GAINS QUARTER-FINAL SEAT IN RP JUNIOR POOL

Photo and caption by Marlon Bernardino: Standing (L-R)Johann Chua, Jomel Sultan, Patrick Gonzales, BSCP president Ernie Fajardo, Mario Aquino, Bennie Dayrit, Tournament Director Sol Gueco of Raya Sports

sitting down: Sean Mark Malayan and youngest participant 11-year-old Hans Juris Pablo

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---UNDEFEATED JOHANN "BUBWIT" CHUA clustered three consecutive racks in the end became the first player to enter the quarter-final round in the ongoing 64 man field first BSCP Philippine Junior Pool Championship yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.The 15-year-old Chua, playing under the banner of Puyat Sports stop the Cinderella run's of "giant killer" Patrick Gonzales, 9-6, in the "sweet 16" in this double elimination format Magnolia Health Tea and E-aji-dip snax sponsored event and jointly organized by Raya Sports and Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) headed by it's president Ernesto Fajardo."Kala ko matatalo na ako kasi naka una agad si Patrick (Gonzales) eh," the 2006 Philippine Olympic Festival silver medalist Chua referring the hot start of Gonzales who took a 3-0 commanding lead before the former (Chua) up by a rack in the 7th frame after clustering four consecutive racks.Chua, who earlier beat Biondi Te, 9-5, Rio Bagaipo, 9-0, and Raymund Eborda, 9-7, will clash Rocketman Enterprises bet Sean Mark Malayan in the round-of-8, winner over Rainier Gatapia, 9-5, Mark Joseph Jabile, 9-4, Edison Dollente, 9-8, and Romeo Silvano, 9-4, in order.Alvin Punzalan and John Carlo Cerna hurdle their respective rivals to dispute each other in the round-of-8.Punzalan, the son of veteran pro-pool Fidel Punzalan downed Arsenio Senina, 9-6, in the round-of-16 yesterday while Cerna trounced Michael Angelo Mengorio, 9-7,

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by: Marlon Bernardino

VALLE-MILLARES DUO WINS INAUGURAL SMC SCOTCH DOUBLES 10-BALL

Champion pairs: Gandy Valle and Jay Jay Millares (P140,000)
Runner-up pairs: Carlo Biado and Mark Mendoza (P80,000)
Losing Semi-finalists pairs: Jech Jech Limen and Roberto Dy (P40,000) and Victor Arpilleda and Fidel Punzalan (P40,000)
MANILA, PHILIPPINES---GANDY VALLE and Jay Jay Millares were both good and lucky late Friday as the two billiard warriors claimed the inaugural San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-ball crown over the pairs of Carlo Biado and Mark Mendoza with a 13-10 victory in the final was held in Metrowalk, Pasig City.
With Bugsy Promotion ace Valle making superb performance and Millares helping took the lead in the 15 th frame taking a 9-6 commanding lead to claim the P140,000 top prize.
Biado and Mendoza settled for a runner-up place finish to bring home P80,000 purse.
"This is a very important tournament and, we are happy and very proud to win the first SMC Scotch Doubles 10-ball," said a delighted Davao City pride Valle, a member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotion who teaming up Millares, a habitué of the Escoda Billiard Hall in Manila.
"In the beginning of the match there was a lot of pressure on us, but when we went three games ahead it all lifted." added Valle, the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games gold medallist and SMB 9-Ball Tour Singapore leg winner in this three-day event (September 19, 20 and 21) sanctioned by the Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) headed by it's president Ernesto Fajardo.
The pairs of Valle and Millares beat Jech Jech Limen and Roberto Dy with a thrashing 11-1 victory Friday night, gains first final seat.
After the game was tied at 1 all in the 2nd frame, Valle and Millares never looked back after clustering 10 consecutive racks.
In another night cap, Biado and Mendoza scored a come from behind 11-10 wins over former Southeast Asian Games medalist Victor Arpilleda and Fidel Punzalan.
Infact the game was tied at 3 all before Arpilleda and Punzalan surge a 7-4, 9-6 to 10-9 lead going to the final rack.
However, Biado and Mendoza's fighting spirit never give up and rallied in the end game took the last two racks to nailed an 11-10 decision wins and arranged a titular showdown with Valle and Millares in the race-to-13 championships' round.

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SULTAN, CHUA, TAKAYAMA, DAVID TAKE CHARGE IN RP POOL JUNIOR

JOMEL "BATA" SULTAN took three of the four racks to beat Mark Perez, 9-4, at the start of 64 man field of the first BSCP Philippine Junior Pool Championship gets underway yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila. The 16-year-old Sultan, playing under the banner of rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) surge a 5-0 commanding lead going to the final phase of 8-3 advantage in this race-to-9, winner's break format, double elimination system. "Malaking bagay 'yung nakaposte tayo ng 5-0 sa pagsisimula ng laro," added the Jaro, Iloilo native Sultan, a habitué of One Side Billiard hall in Malate, Manila whose consistent practice with 2006 Doha Asian games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey de Luna and 2007 Oslo, Norway Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball champion Roberto Gomez. With the win, Sultan who fondly called Vandolph or Jomel Bata in the local pool set up a second clash with Alex Aquino, a similar 9-4 winner over Angel Adriano in this Magnolia Health Tea sponsored event and jointly organized by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Raya Sports.BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo, who personal visit the venue and grace the opening rite yesterday added, "Itong mga bata ang susunod na future world class player natin," Fajardo added that the winner in this event will carry the country's color when the 2007 World Junior 9-Ball Championship gets going on Nov. 26-29 in Willington , Germany.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

VALLE-MILLARES, ARPILLEDA-PUNZALAN BARGE INTO SEMIS

VALLE-MILLARES, ARPILLEDA-PUNZALAN BARGE INTO SEMIS

THE PAIRS OF FORMER SMB ASIAN 9-ball tour leg winner Gandy Valle-Jay Jay Millares and ex-Southeast Asian Games medalist Victor Arpilleda-Fidel Punzalan took different routes to advance into the semifinals of the of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-balls Thursday at the Elbowroom in Metrowalk, Pasig City. Valle and Millares defeated 2007 US Bar Table 9-ball Champion and 8-ball Champion Warren Kiamco and Rodrigo Geronimo, 9-5, in the quarter-final round Thursday afternoon to set up a semi-final clash against the tandem of Negros Billiard Stable bets Roberto Dy and Jech Jech Limen late Friday, who demolished Godofredo Ducanes and Ernesto Sarmiento, 9-1. While the Jakarta based Arpilleda who teaming up with Punzalan clustered three consecutive racks to scored a come from behind 9-8 victory over Leonardo Didal and Eric Rodriguez late Thursday to meet Carlo Biado and Mark Mendoza in another semi-final bout late Friday who toppled Jomar de Ocampo and Jess Dacoro, 9-4. The winner pairs here gets top prize P140,000, the runner-up took P80,000 while the losing semi-finalist pairs will take home P40,000 each in this three-day event sanctioned by the Billiards Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) with the media partner is Journal Group of Company. The organizing committee headed by tournament director Jojo Santos Arruejo decided to move the semi-final round at exact 6 pm last night(Friday) instead the original schedule of 4 pm to avoid the conflict schedule in the first BSCP Philippine Junior Pool Championship gets underway yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center and will ends on Sunday where the Male players 19 years-old and below winner will carry the country's colors in the 2007 World Junior Pool Championship in Willingen, Germany on November.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

THREE NBS BETS GUNNING BSCP JUNIOR POOL TITLE TODAY

Jomel Sultan during the Philippine 9Ball Tour Bacolod LegTHE RISING Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) had a three entry when thefirst BSCP Philippine Junior Pool Championship gets going today at the Rizal MemorialBilliards Center and will ends on Sunday.This was bared yesterday by NBS coach/manager Christopher Palses under BSCP director Jonathan Sy.According to Palses, their entry includes Jomel Sultan, Jech-Jech Limen and Noel Caro.Open to all Male players 19 years-old and below where the winner will carry the country's colors in the 2007 World Junior Pool Championship in Willingen, Germany on November. More than 50 players were already signed up their participation for the BSCP juniors tournament which backed up by Magnolia Health Tea.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

BSCP Junior Pool Championship Starts September 21

THE first BSCP Philippine Junior Pool Championship will start tomorrow (Sept. 21) at the Rizal MemorialBilliards Center, and will run for three days up to Sunday (Sept. 23). This was announced today by Tournament Director Sol Gueco of Raya Sports and RP pool coach Ramon Ancaja.The Junior Championship is for Filipino male players age 19 years and below. To qualify a player must not reach 20 years by November 30 this year. The date is the cutoff period for all players participating in the 2007 World Junior Pool Championship scheduled in Willingen, Germany in November.Over 50 players have already registered for the BSCP juniors tournament, which is being sponsored by Magnolia Health Tea. Entry is free for all qualified players. Final deadline for entry is Thursday, 12 noon.Leading the players entered in the tournament are Renemar David of Ilocos Sur (RP participant andquarterfinalist in the 2006 World Junior Pool Championship), Johan Chua, Mike Takayama, and SeanMalayan.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

SMC GIVES LOCAL BILLIARDS A BOOST

WHAT better way to usher in the coming World Pool Championships than to enliven the local billiards scene for both participants and spectators as the country gears up for the so-called Olympics of billiards in November. Long-time supporter San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is sponsoring four billiards events in cooperation with Bugsy Promotions under Perry Mariano and Raya Sports for the three months starting September. Aside from the SMC 1st All-Pinoy Scotch Doubles Championships that started last night and lasts until tomorrow at the Elbow Room for the Metrowalk, SMC also backed the SMC Skins Games from October 18-19 at the Bugsy's Lair in Timog, Quezon City and SMC Celebrity Poker Pool from November 22-24 again at the Elbow Room at Metrowalk under Bugsy Promotions. Raya Sports, for its part, is tasked with discovering new billiards stars with the Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) first-ever Philippine National Junior Championship set from September 21-23 at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center.The Scotch Doubles tournament, which has a knock-out format, owes its prominence to huge cash prize of P200,000 and the presence of top cue artists like WPC champion Ronato Alcano, Dennis Orcollo, Lee Van Corteza and Jharome Pena, who will form part of the thirty-two (32) doubles teams. The Skins Games is the billiards variation of the popular Skins Game of Golf while Celebrity Poker Pool will use a deck of cards on the side.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

THE TEAM OF WPA 9-BALL AND WPA 8-BALL CHAMP ALCANO WAS OUSTED

HE PAIR of Benje Guevarra and Eduardo Lim made the biggest upset yesterday at the start of the 32 man team country's first-ever San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-balls at the Elbowroom in Metro Walk, Pasig City Guevarra, third placer in the 1999 Bangkok Asian Snooker Championship teaming up with Lim ousted the tandem of current WPA 9-ball Champion and WPA 8-ball Champion Ronato Alcano and Alex Lumpay (9-5), in this race-to-9, winners break format, single knock-out system with the winning pair will take home the top prize of P140,000 which supported by San Miguel Corporation. The runner-up here gets P80,000 while the losing semi-finalist pair will each receive P40,000."Dikitan 'yung laban sa una at sa bandang huli lamang kami (Eduardo Lim) nakalamang," Guevarra referring the 8-5 lead who will banner the country's Snooker event in the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games this December. Guevarra and Lim will meet the teaming up of Roberto Dy and Jech Jech Limen who beat Joven Bustamante and Roberto Chung (9-6).2004 World 9-ball champion Alex Pagulayan who teaming up youthful Jason "Bayabas" Aperin also advance in the next round after crushing the pair of 2007 SMB RP 9-ball Open champion Antonio Gabica and Rogelio Sotero Jr. (9-2) to set up second round clash the winner of the match between the pair of Mike Takayama and Edwin Reyes versus the duo's of Jomar de Ocampo and Jess Dacoro.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

GABICA, ALCANO RESUMED THEIR WINNING WAYS IN COUNTRY'S FIRST-EVER SMC SCOTCH DOUBLES 10-BALLS TODAY

ANTONIO "GA-GA" GABICA, the country's most underrated player today and current WPA 9-Ball Champion and WPA 8-Ball Champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano will resume their winning ways when the country's first ever San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-balls event gets underway today, September 19, 20 and 21 at the Elbowroom/ Metro Walk in Pasig City.
"Sana magpatuloy-tuloy ang suwerte natin simula bukas (ngayon) sa SMC Scotch Doubles 10-Balls at sa mga susunod pang laro natin," said the 35-year-old Gabica, who bagged the 9-ball gold and 8-ball silver medal in the last year's Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
Gabica and Alcano, both member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotion who settled for a 1-2 finish in the 32 man-field 4th annual SMB RP 9-Ball Open was held at the Silvercity Mall, over the weekend to pockets the top two prizes of P500,000 and P250,000, respectively.
Gabica from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu ousted pool maestro Efren "Bata"Reyes (13-10) in the cross-over semi-final round while team mate Alcano, who hails from Calamba City, Laguna edges former two-time champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante (13-12) in another final four match to dispute the title which won by Gabica over Alcano (15-9).
Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernie Fajardo lauded the country's first-ever Scotch Doubles 10-balls, a three-day event which bankrolled by San Miguel Corporation with the winning pair will take home the top prize of P140,000.
"Magandang pagkakataon itong 10-ball event sa local player natin na mahasa ang kanilang dunong sa event na ito. May RP 10-ball Open kasi tayo sa taong ito at next year naman ang inagurasyon ng World 10-ball sa ating bansa," Fajardo added.

Their opening rivals and team mate will be known today after the special drawing of lots at 10:00 am, according to tournament director Jojo Santos Arruejo.
"Para maging patas ang laban ay hihiwalay natin ang top player sa mga sumisibol na player. Bali ang bubunot sa draw ay ang mga rising player at d'un pa lamang natin malalaman kung sino ang mag ka team mate. Hindi kasi p'wede magkatambal ang parehong magagaling na manlalaro baka wala ng sumali at mapulan pa ang event natin," claried by tournament director Jojo Santos Arruejo.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

GABICA SET SIGHTS ON WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN

AFTER WINNING HIS SECOND SMB RP 9-BALL OPEN

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Today the Philippines, tomorrow the world. Antonio "Ga'Ga" Gabica, the country's most underrated player wants to conquer them all. The power-breaking cue artist showed the form that he can win again the title that he won three years ago by beating fellow Bugsy stablemate current WPA 9-ball and WPA 8-ball champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano (15-9) in the finals on his way to a second San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open crown late Sunday at the at the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall, Julia Vargas Avenue in Ortigas Center enroute the top purse P500,000. Two balls on the break in the final rack then sank the yellow no.1 ball using a tough bank shot then followed a 2-9 combination for the 15-9 victory.

Local benefactor/businessman Perry Mariano had something to say to his ward, "Ngayon alam na siguro ng mga tao bakit ko palaging sinasabi na si Ga-Ga (Antonio Gabica) is the most underrated player today,"

Gabica's road to the race-to-15, alternate break finals came from wins over 2006 SMB Asian 9-ball tour leg winner Gandy "Sapsal" Valle (9-7), Alcano (9-3), 2007 BCA Enjoypool.com 9-ball champion Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo (9-8), before losing to two-time defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante (9-7) in the fourth match of winner's brackets on Saturday then beat Carlo "Cool" Biado (9-6) in the loser's brackets then toppled pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes (13-10) in the cross-over semi-final round Sunday afternoon before beating Alcano (15-9).

Alcano, on the other hand beat Eduardo Saracho (9-3) in the opener before yielding to Gabica (9-3) then dominated the loser' brackets by trouncing 2004 World 9-Ball Champion Alex Pagulayan (9-6), Russian Petiza (9-7), Warren Kiamco (9-7), current national open title-holder Lee Vann Corteza (9-6), and Panfilo Damuag (9-6) then ousted Bustamante (13-12) in the cross-over semis before bowing to Gabica.

In the 2004 inauguration leg of RP 9-Ball Open, Gabica beat Orcollo (17-6) in the finals plus obtaining a world record's 11 consecutive racks beating 10's straight racks of former world 9-ball champion American Earl "The Pearl" Strickland.

It was Gabica's first major title this year after two runner-up place finish here and abroad.

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by: Marlon Bernardino

GABICA RIPS BATA, GAINS SMB RP 9-BALL OPEN FINALS AGAINST ALCANO

ANTONIO "GAGA"GABICA, the country's most underrated pool player today downed pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes (13-10), yesterday to book the first finals seat in the 4 th annual San Miguel Beer (SMB) Philippine Open 9-ball Championship at the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall, Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center beside Alchemy and behind SM Shoemart and Tiendesitas near C5.
The 35-year-old Gabica, member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotion won the opening lag and surged a 4-2 lead to take the fight out of Reyes, who is the 1999 Cardiff World 9-ball champion, in the race to-13, alternate format of the first semi-finals TV matches yesterday afternoon in P1.3-million tournament organized by Solar Sports in close cooperation with Puyat Sports and offering P500,000 to the champion.
"Suwerte lamang kasi bagama't may mga error tayo ay may error din si Ninong (Efren Reyes),"said the 2004 inauguration champ Gabica after the match referring to Reyes,God Father in his wedding to his wife Jean Gabica.
Perry Mariano, local pool benefactor lauded Gabica's impressive showing to top favorites Reyes. "Ga-Ga (Gabica) is the most underrated player today."
Gabica, the 2007 Cebu 9-ball Challenge runner-up who bagged the 9-ball gold and 8-ball silver medals in the last year's ASIAD in Doha will face Bugsy stablemate current double world champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, who edges two-time defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante (13-12) in the second TV matches of the semi-final round late Sunday.
After the game was tied at 6 all, Gabica clustered three consecutive racks to take a 9-6 commanding lead after Reyes missed a tough 8-ball shot in the 15th racks.
Reyes cut the lead at 9-7 after a run-out in the 16 th racks but Gabica scored two of the three racks for his fifth break and run to move a comfortable 10-8 lead.
In the 21st racks, Reyes made a 1-7 combo that sank the yellow no.1 ball but suffered another scratch in the blue no.2 ball that lead Gabica on the hill (12-9).
Reyes, the acknowledge "The Magician" in pool world won the 22nd racks to close the match at 12-10, however, Reyes missed another tough 9-ball shot in the 23rd racks to give Gabica's 13-10 victory to progress.
Gabica and Alcano, both assured already P250,000 for reaching the finals while losing semi-finalists Reyes and Bustamante was contented at P100,000 each.

for more visit www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

UNHERALDED DAMUAG BEATS PAGULAYAN AND PENA TO

JOINS BATA AND DJANGO IN THE WINNING COLUMN

UNHERALDED Panfilo "Abu Linkok" Damuag posted back to back giant wins to join tournament favorites two-time defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Efren "Bata" Reyes in the winning column along with five others in the ongoing 4 th annual San Miguel Beer (SMB) Philippine Open 9-ball Championship at the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall, Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center beside Alchemy and behind SM Shoemart and Tiendesitas near C5 over the weekend.

The 30-year-old Damuag, playing under the banner of rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) stuns 2004 Taiwan World 9-ball champion Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan (9-6) and 2007 Oslo, Norway Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball runner-up Jharome Peña (9-4), respectively to set up a third clash with last year's runner-up Leonardo "Dodong" Didal, who defeated youthful Jech-Jech Limen (9-5) and Michael "Fighter Laguna" Feliciano (9-4).

The Bacolod City based Damuag who hails from Norala, South Cotabato rallied from a 2-6 deficit in the opening match against Pagulayan, the most winningest pool player in the 2005 Manila Southeast Asian Games, clustered seven straight racks to enroute a come from behind 9-6 victory in the P1.3-million tournament organized by Solar Sports in close cooperation with Puyat Sports and offering P500,000 to the champion where the race-to-11 semi-finals will be aired today, Sunday at 12:00 noon live on Solar Sports in this event also supported by Philippine Billiards God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat.

" Nakalamang agad si Alex (Pagulayan) ng 6-2 sa akin pero hindi ako nasiraan ng loob at sa pagtitiyaga ay naka pitong run-out po ako sa alternate break para sa 9-6 victory," said Damuag in his game against Pagulayan, also the 2005 US Open 9-ball champion and 2006 BSCP National Pool Championships winner.

read more visit: www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

CORTEZA TAKE CHARGE, MAZON UPSET PARICA IN SMB RP 9-BALL OPEN

REIGNING national open champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza post a 3-9 combination in the last rack to beat 2007 Oslo, Norway Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball champion Roberto "Pinoy Superman" Gomez, 9-5, in the first TV matches yesterday at the start of the 4 th annual San Miguel Beer (SMB) Philippine Open 9-ball Championship at the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall, Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center beside Alchemy and behind SM Shoemart and Tiendesitas near C5.

The 28-year-old Corteza, top player of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) surge a 3-1 to 5-3 commanding lead before the 28-year-old Gomez tied the match at 5 all in the 10 th frame.

Infact, Gomez, who hails from Divisoria, Zamboanga City had a chance to take a 6-5 lead but suffered a scratch in the orange No.5 ball allowing the Mintal, Davao City native Corteza to up by one rack after winning the 11 th frame in the P1.3-million tournament organized by Solar Sports in close cooperation with Puyat Sports and offering P500,000 to the champion.

Gomez again had a chance to trim down the match at 7-6 after securing a golden break in the 13th racks but suffered another scratch that lift Corteza on the hill before securing an 9-5 victory in the event supported by no less than Philippine Billiard God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat.

"Malas talaga, biruin mo nahulog na ang 9-ball sa break ko kaso nag scratch pa," said Gomez.

The runner-up here gets P250,000 while losing semi-finalist will walk away P100,000 each in this double-elimination format.

"Nang nagtabla sa 5 all sabi ok lamang, hihintayin ko lamang na mabigyan ulit ako ng magandang pagkakataon. Isa ng turning point 'yung 11 th rack, nag dry break si Roberto (Gomez), nag placing ako tapos nag scratch siya sa No.5 ball kaya nakalamang ulit ako," said Corteza after the match who inspired the present of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) president Jonathan Sy and NBS coach/ manager Christopher Palses who watching the sideline.

Corteza, fresh from a runner-up place finish in the 2007 Guinness 9-ball tour Grand Finale last September 2 in Bali, Indonesia will meet 2006 Kuwait 9-ball tour winner Jundel "Jano" Mazon in the next round, who relegated Filipino legendary Jose "Amang" Parica in the loser's brackets after a nailing a 9-2 triumph.

read more visit www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

FIRE CRACKER VICTIM JARRY PELAYO WINS WTA 9-BALL

FIRE CRACKER victim Jarry "Putol" Pelayo defeated Eduardo "Pikoy" Villanueva, 11-9, in the finals to rules the just concluded Winner Take all 9-ball tour late Tuesday at the Bowling Inn billiard hall in Taft Avenue in Manila.The Bacolod City native Pelayo, who lost his three finger when he was 12 year old after by playing a fire cracker surge a 5-3 commanding lead before Villanueva, who place runner-up to eventual winner Jose "Amang" Parica in the 1997 RP 9-Ball Open rallied four straight racks to get a 7-5 upper hand lead. But the prize fighter of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiard Stable came back to close the match at 7-7 all in the 14th frame using the race to 11 format.After trading racks, the two cue masters tie the game at 8-all to 9-all going the final stretch until Pelayo clustered the next two remaining racks to nailed an 11-9 victory and claimed the top prize of P30,000 in the event was organized by Rolly Vicente and Ish Caparras of Puyat Sports.

for more visit www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

FIL-CANADIAN MONTAL POCKETED $4,000 AFTER WINNING BRITISH COLUMBIA 9-BALL

FILIPINO-CANADIAN Edwin Montal added another feather in its cap after winning the 2007 Harold Danielson Memorial Open last September 7 to 9 at the Breakers Billiards Club in Kelowna, British Columbia.
The British Columbia based Montal, who is fresh from winning the 2007 Canadian 9-Ball Championships trounced Stan Tourangeau of Alberta in the finals enroute the top prize $4,000 in this three-day $10,000 total pot tournament which attracted 64 cue artists.
Tourangeau who beat Montal in their first encounter in the winner's side settled for a runner-up place of $2,700.
According to AZ billiards website that everyone was hoping for an exciting finals and they weren't disappointed. At the beginning, the match flucuated back and forth until the score reached 6-6. This is when Edwin hit a gear and jumped ahead 10-6. Stan, definitely not a rookie at playing great players or being in a final match, made a valiant comeback to bring the score to 10-9. However, it wasn't enough as Edwin edged him out with a win at 11-9.

for more visit www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

DJANGO BUSTAMANTE EYES THREE-PEAT SMB RP 9-BALL OPEN TITLE

TWO-TIME defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante eyeing his third straight national crown when the 4th annual San Miguel Beer (SMB) RP 9-ball Open gets going on Friday, September 14-16.

The venue will be the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall, Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center , beside Alchemy and behind SM Shoemart and Tiendesitas near C5.

The payout in this Solar Sports organized event in close cooperation with Puyat Sports will be a total pot prize of P1,350,000 million with the winner taking away the whopping top prize money of P500,000 while the runner-up gets P250,000. The losing semi-finalist will walk away P100,000 each.

"Marami ng magagaling ngayon beside 9-ball yan eh kailangan din ng suwerte. I just play my very best." Said the back to back 2005 and 2006 champion Bustamante, in an exclusive interview with this writer recently at the One Side Pocket billiard hall in Manila, one of the top players of Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, acknowledged God Father of the Philippine Billiards.

for more news visit www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

BATA, DJANGO LEAD RP CHARGE IN KABAYAN WORLD 9-BALL INVT'L

WORLD renowned cue artists headed by Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante are invited to compete in the KABAYAN World 9-Ball Invitational in Calapan City Oriental Mindoro.

The event named after Vice-President Noli De Castro, who hails from Pola, Oriental Mindoro, will coincide with the 54th founding anniversary of the province.

The field will be composed of 16 invited players – eight locals and eight foreigners – divided into four groups.
The top two players in the group elimination will advance into the knockout round.

"We're excited to witness world class billiards here in Oriental Mindoro," said youthful governor Arman Panaligan, also a former mayor of Calapan City.

Provincial board member Butch Soller, who brought up the idea to Panaligan, will organize the event.

"This is the first time that Oriental Mindoro will stage a tournament this big. We're both nervous and excited," Soller said.

All players are guaranteed of at least $500.

for more news visit www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

ORCOLLO ADVANCE SEMI-FINAL ROUND OF BRUNEI 9-BALL INVT'L CUP

DENNIS "ROBOCOP" ORCOLLO kept the Philippine flag flying high on Saturday by advancing to the semifinals of the on-going Brunei 9-Ball Invitational Cup 2007 at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas.
The 28-year-old Orcollo will be gunning for his second major pocket billiards title after capturing the 2007 BCA Enjoypool.com crown in Las Vegas, Nevada early this year.
Orcollo's semifinal opponent will be 2005 World 9-ball Champion Wu Chia-Ching of Chinese-Taipei.
In the last eight, Orcollo demolished Indonesian Muhammad Zulfikri, 9-3 to assured US$1,500 after making it to the final four in the tournament sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU) and organized by the Brunei Darussalam Cue Sports Association for the third time with cooperation from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and sponsored by GHK Motors Sdn Bhd.

for more news visit: www.billiardphilippines.com

by: Marlon Bernardino

PENA, MAZON DARK HORSES IN SMC SCOTCH 10-BALLS DOUBLES

SURELY, the spotlight won't be theirs, but Jharome "Pendong" Pena and Jundel "Jano" Mazon are happy with their billing in the forthcoming country's first ever San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-ball event gets underway on September 19, 20 and 21 at the Elbowroom/ Metro Walk in Pasig City. The two rising player are considered the dark horses in the event bankrolled by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) with the winning pair take home the top prize of P140,000. "Ayos lamang ako kahit sabihin pa nilang dark horse ako sa Scotch Doubles 10-ball at ang mga paborito gaya nina Ronnie (Alcano), Dennis (Orcollo) at Lee Vann (Corteza) ang panigunda." Said Pena, one of the rising player of Bugsy Promotion. " Pero sisiguraduhin ko kung sino man ang maging kakampi ko ay ibibigay ko lahat, ang puso ko at determinasyon na manalo," added Pena, made prominence in the world pool of pool after settling runner-up place finish in the 2007 Battle of Scandinavia 9-Ball Open in Oslo, Norway early this year. The 2006 Kuwait 9-ball Open champion Mazon, the top player of Conrado Poblete's Bronco stable on his part added, "Ready naman tayo kahit sino ang maging kakampi ko, beside 10-ball ito, talagang labanan ito ng skills di gaya sa 9-ball may tsamba." For a meantime, both Pena and Mazon are preparing the Grand Finals of 2007 San Miguel Beer (SMB) RP 9-Ball Open on September 14 to 16 before the country's first ever San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-ball event on September 19.

for news more visit http://www.billiardphilippines.com/

by : Marlon Bernardino

REYES, DJANGO LEAD RP CHARGE IN P2 M TOP PRIZE MANNY PACQUIAO INT'L 9-BALL OPEN

THE deadly duo of Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante will be joined by Ronato Alcano, Dennis Orcollo, Warren Kiamco and Lee Vann Corteza to lead the Philippine charge at the start of total pot prize P2 million dubbed as 1 st ever Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Cup Open.The setting will be the Hobbies of Asia Bldg. in Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City on Oct. 24 to 27 and the payout will be a total pot prize of P2 million with the winner taking away the whopping top prize money of P1 million while the runner-up gets P500,000. This was bared yesterday by RP's no.1 trick shot player and tournament director Julie Falcon Guevarra."Nag confirm ng maglalaro sina Efren (Reyes) at Django (Bustamante) ng Puyat Sports. Sasali din sina Ronnie (Alcano) at Dennis (Orcollo) ng Bugsy Promotion maging sina Lee Vann (Corteza) at Warren (Kiamco) ng Negros Billiard Stable. Lahat kasi sila ay mang-gagaling pa sa US Open then diretso dito sa 1 st Manny Pacquiao International 9-ball Open bago maglaro sa World Pool Championships." Explain by tournament director Julie.Reyes and Bustamante on the other hand, both prize fighter of RP billiard patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat are schedule to defend their title when the 2007 PartyPoker.net World Cup of Pool gets going on September 25 to September 30 at the Outland nightclub in Rotterdam, Holland.

Visit http://www.billiardphilippines.com/ for more

by: Marlon Bernardino

CUE SPORTS DIFFICULT TASK IN THAILAND SEAG

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---MINUS the man that anchored the RP billiards and snooker team's successful bid in the Southeast Asian Games the last time, officials of the sport remains upbeat about its campaign in the 2007 edition of the biennial meet in Thailand this December. Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernesto Fajardo and chairman Yen Makabenta admitted that duplicating the eight gold medals the Filipino cue masters won in the Manila SEA Games two years ago may be a difficult task now that Alex Pagulayan is doubtful to see action in the Dec. 6-15 meet. But both echoed the same sentiment that the country is still a force to reckon with in the sport with Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica and silver medal winner Jeffrey `Bata' de Luna likely leading the Filipinos' charge at the main hub of the meet in Nakhoratchasima."We've never been into the habit of predicting the number of golds, but definitely it is in the poolevents where we are really strong," said Fajardo,joined by Makabenta in the weekly PSA Forum yesterday at the Shakey's United Nations Ave. branch. At the moment, Fajardo said the BSCP is in the process of deciding which players will make thebilliards team, with both Gabica and de Luna havingthe best shot of making it.Gabica beat de Luna for the gold in the 9-ball singles of the Doha Asiad last year, although he fell short in the 8-ball singles where he settled for thesilver to Satoshi Kabawata of Japan."Their strong showing in the Asiad is not anassurance, but they (Gabica and de Luna) have a very good chance of landing in the team," said Fajardo. Already assured slots in the snooker team are Benjie Guevarra, Reynaldo Grandea, Francisco dela Cruz, Al Ortega, Joven Alba and former Asian champion Marlon Manalo."Marlon expressed interest to play with the snooker team. I hope it pushes through because he remains one of our best bets in snooker," said the BSCP president in the same forum sponsored by Shakey's and PAGCOR. Behind the three gold medals of Pagulayan, the RP team run away with the overall title in the sport during the 2005 Manila SEA Games, including two gold medals each won by double world champion Ronnie Alcano (15-ball singles and 15-ball doubles), Leonardo`Dodong' Andam (snooker and 15-ball doubles) andRubilen Amit (8-ball and 9-ball) in women's billiards.Unfortunately, Pagulayan has decided not to play for the team this time, according to Fajardo, following his reported misunderstanding with the BSCP.

visit http://www.billiardphilippines.com/ for more . . . . .

by:(MARLON BERNARDINO).

GABICA, DAVID TANDEM JOINS SMC SCOTCH DOUBLES 10-BALL

THE TANDEM of Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica, the country's most under rated player today and Renemar "Revo" David, the 2006 Sydney World Junior quarter-finalist join in the elite-cast when the forthcoming country's first ever San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-ball event gets underway on September 19, 20 and 21 at the Elbowroom/ Metro Walk in Pasig City. "Puspusan ang ginawa kong paghahanda sa mga nalalapit kong local at international tournament. Bukod sa 50 racks a day sa Bugsy pool haus ay nag gi- gym din ako sa umaga sa City Lifetime Gym sa Tomas Morato." said the 35-year-old Gabica, one of the top player of star-studded Bugsy Promotion also consistent visiting City Lifetime Gym in Tomas Morato every morning before doing a 50 racks a day at the Bugsy Lair's pool haus in Sgt. Esguerra, Quezon City. Prior for the SMC Scotch Doubles 10-balls event, Gabica, the 2007 Cebu 9-ball challenge runner-up will leave the country on September 6 along with Bugsy stablemate double world champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano to carry the country's color in the US$10,000 top prize Brunei 9-Ball Invitational Cup 2007 from Sept 7-8 at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas, Brunei which featured some of the world best cue masters. Gabica, the 2004 Solar-Fil 9-ball champion, also looking to duplicate his feat he win three year's ago when the P500,000 top prize 2007 SMB RP 9-ball Open Finale gets going on September 14. Local billiard benefactor and Bugsy Promotion boss Perry Mariano had something to say to his ward. "Ga-Ga (Gabica) is the most under rated player today. I'm no doubt that he can win a big tournament this year, kailangan n'ya lamang ng determinasyon at buong tiyaga." He added. In a separate interview yesterday, Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) president Ernie Fajardo added "Hindi naman kaila ang mga kabayanihan na binigay sa bansa ni Ga-Ga (Gabica) kayo kumpiyansa ako na malaking pag-asa muling manalo sa pandaigdigang torneo si Ga-Ga." Fajardo referring the 9-ball gold medal and 8-ball silver medal that pocketed Gabica in the last year's Doha Asian Games in Qatar. Aside from the pair of Gabica and David, other team entry that includes 2007 Korean Pro tour 9-ball champion Joven Bustamante and snooker ace turned pro billiards Benjie Guevarra. For more details, please contact tournament director Jojo Santos at (0915) 700-8000, Gandy Valle (0916) 958-9897 and Jharome Pena at (0918) 394-2779.Other Filipino pool shark's are expected to join the country's first ever San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Scotch Doubles 10-ball event with top prize P140,000 goes to winning pair team were Alcano, 2007 BCA Enjoypool.com winner Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, 2006 Doha Asian games 9-ball silver medalist Jeffrey de Luna, 2007 Oslo, Norway Battle of Scandinavia 9-ball champion Roberto Gomez, 2006 SMB Asian 9-ball tour champion Gandy Valle, Carlo Biado, Mike Takayama and Elmer Kalaquian. Bronco stable on the other hand will parade Jundel Mazon, and Jomar de Ocampo while rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) is most likely field top gunner reigning national open champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, who is fresh from a runner-up finish last Sunday in the 2007 Guinness 9-ball tour Grand Finale in Bali, Indonesia.

by:(MARLON BERNARDINO).