Press Release - Oakville, Ontario, September 21, 2007.

 

Former  WPA World 9-Ball Champions Alex Pagulayan and Ralf Souquet have confirmed their places in the first event of season three for the Canadian 9-Ball Tour. "What a great way to kick off season three of the tour" says tournament director Jim Wych, "Ralf has never been to Toronto before and along with Sweden's Marcus Chamat now confirmed to play as well, the fans here will get to see players in person that they will have only ever seen on television." 

 

Presenting sponsors Cineplex Entertainment and Indigo Chapters bookstores along with affiliate sponsors Canada Billiard & Bowling, Dufferin Billiards, Stan James Sports Bookmakers, Simonis Cloth, and Aramith Billiard Balls are delighted to welcome these big name players to Toronto.

 

Every Canadian 9-Ball Tour event this season carries a $10,000 added purse and is open to all competitors.

 

For more information please visit the tour's official website at: www.canadian9balltour.com

 

MARK Aristotle "Mac-Mac" Mendoza clustered six consecutive racks to scored a 9-4 come from behind victory over Gino Paulo Villano to join 15 cue artists in the winning column in the ongoing 64 man field first BSCP Philippine Junior Pool Championship yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Billiards Center in Malate, Manila.

 The 18-year-old Mandaluyong City bet Mendoza earlier beat Kelvin Larcena, 9-3, in the  opening round last Fridayt in this race-to-9, winners break, double elimination format , Magnolia Health Tea sponsored event and jointly organized by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and Raya Sports with the winner will carry the country's colors in the 2007 World Pool Junior in Willington, Germany on Novembre 26-29.

 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.

 Other pool players in the winning column who already posted two consecutive wins last Friday that includes Jomel Sultan, Patrick Gonzales, Raymund Eborda, Johann Chua, Jordan Legaspi, Romeo Silvano, Sean Mark Malayan, Edison Dollene, Alvin Punzalan, Arsenio Cenina, Bennie Dayrit, Marvin Tapia, Michael Angelo Mengo, Kim Go and John Carlo Cerna.

 Meanwhile, 2006 Sydney World Junior quarter-finalist Renemar David, Mike Takayama, Jonas Magpantay, Paul Arpilleda and Ken Escano bounced back in contention after beating their respective assignment in the one-loss side yesterday.

 

Tournament favorites Jech Jech Limen, Hadley Mariano and youngest participant 11-year-old Hans Juris Pablo ousted in this event losing their respective rivals in the loser's brackets yesterday.

 

Limen bowed to Raymond Faraon, 9-5, Mariano yielded to Jireh Dugayo, 9-4, while Pablo lost to Wilfredo Tuazon, 9-6. (Marlon Bernardino) 

 

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. Sean Mark Malayan and youngest participant 11-year-old Hans Juris Pablo

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. 

 

"Kinailangan namin mag adjust ng oras dahil dalawa sa manlalaro namin sa aming liga (Jech Jech Limen and Mark Medonza) ay pasok sa semi-final round ng SMC Scotch Doubles 10-ball na kasali din sa BSCP Junior Pool. Masyadong kawawa naman 'yung mga bata na naguguluhan sa schedule at grabe sa pagod," said Arruejo.

 

 The native Davao City Valle, who teaming up Romeo "Snooky" Villanueva to capture the gold medal in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games in the 9-ball doubles competition added, " Sana hindi sinabay ng BSCP at Raya Sports ang RP Junior Pool sa SMC Scotch 10-ball Doubles dahil kawawa ang mga player at naguguluhan sa schedule. Beside isa lamang ang sponsor na ito ang San Miguel Corporation at parehong BSCP sanctioned tournament," a dismay Valle told to this writer infront of Arruejo which assisted by Nap Pascual.

 

 

Fellow Dabueño Limen playing under the banner of rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) said for his part,

 

"Kala namin September 22 o 23 ang start ng RP Junior Pool kaya nagulat kaming lahat ng sinabi bukas (kahapon) ang start ng RP Junior Pool kaso ang problema kami ni Mac-Mac (Mark Mendoza) ay nakapasok sa semi-final round kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa grupo nina kuya Jojo (Santos) na naunawaan ang sitwasyon naming at sila na lamang ang nag adjust ng oras. Pero lagare pa din kami ni Mac-Mac, mula Rizal Memorial Sports Complex ay tatakbo kami bukas (Kahapon) sa Metro Walk sa Pasig para maglaro din ng semi-finals ng SMC Scotch Doubles 10-ball. Sana next time hindi na po maulit ang ganitong pangyayari dahil kawawa po kaming mga player."     (MARLON BERNARDINO).

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Subject: Cate. 8 - Change: Sept. 29 / Malaysia --- Asian Category 8 Qualifying Tournament
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:12:47 +0800

 

Dear all,

Due to certain circumstances in Hong Kong suddently, the location of the "Asian Category 8" tournament (subject to eligibility conditions) for 2007 Men's World Pool Championship by Matchroom Sport and WPA will be changed from Hong Kong to Malaysia, which provides the center distance for West Asia (Middle East) and East Asia.

 

1. To provide all players from eligible countries enough time to arrange for visa, the date of the tournament is changed to:  September 29th. The same time hour. The same tournament format.

 

2. The location and hotel info in Malaysia are below.

 

3. Should you require invitation letter for visa application purpose, either request when you sign up or email to the local organizer because only invitation letter from local organizer will be valid in the Malaysia embassy in your country.

 

4.  Those who signed up for Hong Kong, need to sign up again because location change and date change, we must make sure you acknowledge by reply again. Sorry for the inconvenience!

 

5. Show passport at site to the tournament desk to verify your nationality.

TOURNAMENT VENUE:

XZ Snooker & Pool Club.
Level 7, Block B3,
Leisure Commerce Square,
No:9, Jalan PJS 8/9,
46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,
Malaysia.

Contact person: Mr. David Ong
Mobile: +6012 209 609
Office tel: +603 7877 5175 or +603 7877 8063
email: david@xzbilliards.com

HOTEL BOOKING:
Pyramid Tower Hotel
Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway,
46150 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia

Rates
Superior Single              RM 260++
Superior Double             RM 290++
10 mins by taxi to Venue.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

'07wpc - Asia Category 8 Qualifying Tournament
Asian Category-8 Qualifying Tournament for 2007 Men's World Pool Championship
 

*****Eligibility and sign-up process:
Category 8 is only for the Asian countries not listed in categories 1 to 7.
The following countries already qualified for category 1 to 7;
therefore, the people from these countries can NOT sign up:

1.China
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Malaysia
5. Philippines
6. Singapore
7. South Korea
8. Chinese Taipei
9. Vietnam

Entries:
Open to qualified nationalities;
No limitation on numbers of entries.

Gender: Men, no age limitation.

Entry fee: USD$100 per person

All entry fees go into prize money for the top 4 winners as subsidy to cover expenses going to the main tournament of 2007 Philippines Men's World Pool Championship:
1st place: 35% of total
2nd place: 25% of total
3rd and 4th place: 20% of total for each person.

Location: Joe's Billard, Central, Hong Kong
Detail address and phone number will be provided after sign up.
Please make sure you provide your mobile phone number or email address.

September 23, 2007: 8am start time.

Sign up: Please email the following details to: news@cues.com.tw,
or send sign up info to location front desk.

First name:
Last name:
Mobile phone number:
Email address:
Nationality:
Date of birth:

Deadline for sign up: 11:30pm, September 22, 2007.

Please show your passport at 8am, September 23rd. Tournament will start at 8:30am.

Contact phone number: +886-916-075-470

***** Hote booking:
If you need to book a hotel room, please do so together when you sign up.
King's Hotel (in the same building of the pool hall)
HKD$750
3 double rooms and 3 single room available, due to high season.
Other hotels have more rooms and can be arranged after sign up.

*****Guidelines for Players

A. Tournament will follow WPA 9-ball Rules. Winner's break.

B. Tournament Format – Group Play format:
a. Matches will be divided into Team A and Team B.
If over 30 minutes in a match, 45-sec shot clock will be used.
No extension is allowed in any match.
Every match is race to 7.

If 32 or less players: Round-robin;
If more than 32 players: Single elimination.

b. "Each player" takes random draws from the organizer.
The random draws will determine which player goes to Team A, which player goes to Team B.

c. Winner of Group Play is awarded 3 points; loser receives 1 point.
In the event of equal points, the tournament office will judge according to the following:

1. If two or more players have the same points,
overall winning racks will be counted to determine the ranking.
The more winning racks, the higher rank the player gets.

2. If total of the winning racks are equal,
higher rank goes to the player who has the least amount of the racks lost.

3. If the above 2 conditions are the same,
the higher rank will go to the player who has won the Group Play match between the two.

4. If the above 3 conditions still unable to determine the ranking,
random draws will be made.

C. Each match will have a referee to govern the play and the racking of the balls for each inning.
Referee will rack the ball to the tightest position.

Player cannot ask for examination of the balls before breaking the balls.

First warning will be given to the player who violates this rule.

If the player violates this rule for the second time,
the player will be announced lost for the rack.

The referee's judgment is the final ruling,
and no further discussions or alternative to this rule.

D. During each match, each player has the rights to ask for 1 time-out.
This does not limit to whether or not the player is to break the balls to start the game.

Permission for time-out is only allowed in between the racks,
meaning when the referee is racking the balls on the table.

Time-out is only effective when the referee confirms such request,
then the player may leave the seat. Each time-out is 5 minutes.

Over 5 minutes and not returning to continue the game is lost to the rack;
opponent player will be awarded of 1 winning rack.

E. The Top 4 of the Category 8 Qualifying will be consisted of:
a. Winner of Team A
b. 2nd place of Team A
c. Winner of Team B
d. 2nd place of Team B

1-8 entries: Asian Qualifier#1
9-24 entries: Asian Qualifier#2
25-32 entries: Asian Qualifier#3
32 and more entries: Asian Qualifier#4 
 
Depending on the number of entries, different number of winner(s)will be selected. 

Hi my friends,

I'm happy to let you know that my first book, ZEN POOL, Awaken the Master Within is now available in paperback form and can be ordered online. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the book and what it can do for your pool game. Any referrals you may send my way are greatly appreciated!

The book can be ordered at www.bbotw.com (buy books on the web) just type zen pool in the search bar and it will take you to the correct page. Thank you in advance for your order and have a beautiful day!

Truly,

Max Eberle 

The third year of the McDermott All American Tour (presented by the American CueSports Alliance) will again feature weekend events in 8-Ball and 9-Ball across the USA open to any amateur player, with the highest-placing ACS member in each event awarded a free singles entry into the 2008 ACS Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 7-14.
 
In addition to McDermott Handcrafted Cues, the title sponsor for the Tour since its inception in 2005, ACS is pleased to announce two new sponsors to the Tour this year:
Championship Billiard Cloth – producers of Ultra Mercury cloth used at most National amateur Championships in Las Vegas, along with the professional grade 30/30 Tour Edition cloth
Nick Varner Signature Series Cases which will be offering quality cases, billiard gloves and Nick’s Edge conditioning papers to each host site
Last year’s Tour showcased 41 stops, and that number is projected to expand for the 2007-2008 Tour. This year’s Tour heats up over the next two weeks by featuring two stops in September:

Sept. 22 - $500 added “The BAHAMAS 8 Ball Shootout Warm-Up” – Q’s Sports Bar & Girl (Port Charlotte, FL) – handicapped
Sept 29 - $1,000 added 8-Ball Big Dog Billiards (Des Moines, IA) – handicapped
Billiard establishments which either host one or more ACS league teams or join ACS as a Proprietor Member qualify as Tour Stop hosts. You may still contact ACS at 1-888-662-1705 to host a Tour stop. A complete Tour schedule for the 2007-2008 McDermott All American Tour will be available on October 1, 2007 at www.americancuesports.org and www.mcdermottcue.com.
 
 

The Billiard Factory World Summit of Pool - conducted in June during the ACS National Championships in Las Vegas - will be premiered on ESPN 2 this week

 

Semi 1:  Mon, Sep 17  7:30-8:30pm ET on ESPN2
Semi 2:  Mon, Sep 17  8:30-9:30pm ET on ESPN2
Final:  Mon, Sep 17  11pm-12am ET on ESPN2
The ACS partner in producing this professional event, showcasing the greatest professional players in the world was Dragon Promotions.  Information on Dragon Promotions is available at    www.DragonPromotions.com

Information on the ACS is available at www.americancuesports.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ACS is a non-profit, national organization dedicated to heightening the interest and awareness of cue sports through the support and sanctioning of organized competition throughout the

United States.
 

 

COLEGIO San Agustin won both their weekend matches against St. Joseph 23-25, 25-23, 25-20 and St. Mary's 25-19, 26-24, in th eon-going Petron Treats Boy's Volleyball at the Colegio de San Lorenzo Sports Complex in Congressional Avenue in Quezon City.  Both CSA and St. Mary's share an identical 3-2 slate in Bracket D with St. Mary's leading by slim margin over CSA in the quotient points as of the weekend.  CSA and St. Mary's must win their last remaining games to determine who will qualify in the quarter finals.

 

De La Salle - Lipa, who played 2 games last Sunday, routed Phil. Institute of QC 25-10, 25-13 with Kenneth Ocana and John dela Vega contributing 18 points and 4 kills, in their 2nd match versus Lourdes School of Mandaluyong.  De La Salle - Lipa overpowered Lourdes School in 2 sets 25-20-25-17.  Top scoring in the second match were John dela Vega, once again, together with Jeric Diego who contributed 26 points and 8 kills.  De La Salle - Lipa now stand 3-1 in Bracket B of this league supported by Shakey's, Toby's Sports, Dunkin Donuts, Mikasa and Asics.

 

St. Francis - Bacoor recovered from low start and beat Ateneo University 25-18, 25-23.  The Bacoor based team is now at 2-1 in Bracket A.

 

Games of the Petron Treats Boys' Volleyball League resume 10:00am next weekend at the Colegio de San Lorenzo Sports Complex. San Sebastian, De La Salle - Greenhills, University of the East, Claret, Canossa and St. Francis - Bacoor will compete against Hope Christian, De La Salle - Lipa, Angeles University, Chiang Kai Shek, St. Anthony and Phil. Institute of QC in their respective brackets. (MARLON BERNARDINO).

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.

 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---POOL MAESTRO Efren "Bata" Reyes and reigning two-time defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante have secured slots in the semifinals of the 4 ^th annual San Miguel Beer (SMB) Philippine Open 9-ball Championship as they dispatched their counterparts 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.

Reyes, the 1999 Cardiff World 9-ball champion beat giant killer Panfilo "Abu Linkok" Damuag (9-6), while fellow Puyat Sport stablemate Bustamante, the 2002 Cardiff World 9-ball runner-up trounced 2006 Doha Asian games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica (9-7).

Reyes and Bustamante, the top two prize fighter of RP billiards patron Aristeo "Putch" Puyat are the only undefeated players in this 32 man field P1.3-million tournament organized by Solar Sports in close cooperation with Puyat Sports and offering P500,000 to the champion.

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

Reyes's road to the final four came from wins over Eduardo "Pikoy" Villanueva (9-2), Biado (9-5),Warren "Warrior" Kiamco (9-7), before beating the 30-year-old Damuag, playing under the banner of rising Negros Billiard Stable (NBS).While Bustamante's road to the semis came from wins over Danny Otacan (9-1), Rene "Bata" Cruz (9-6), Jundel "Jano" Mazon (9-6), before downing the 35-year-old Gabica from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Reyes, acknowledge "The Magician" in pool world set up final four clash with Gabica, who brought downed Biado (9-6) in the loser's brackets while Bustamante, the 2007 UPA Pro Tour 9-ball winner will face current double world champion Ronato "Volcano"Alcano, winner over Damuag (9-6) in other one-loss side matches. (MARLON BERNARDINO).

Asian Category-8 Qualifying Tournament for 2007 Men's World Pool Championship
 

*****Eligibility and sign-up process:
Category 8 is only for the Asian countries not listed in categories 1 to 7.
The following countries already qualified for category 1 to 7;
therefore, the people from these countries can not sign up:

1.China
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Malaysia
5. Philippines
6. Singapore
7. South Korea
8. Chinese Taipei
9. Vietnam

Entries:
Open to qualified nationalities;
No limitation on numbers of entries.

Gender: Men, no age limitation.

Entry fee: USD$100 per person

All entry fees go into prize money for the top 4 winners as subsidy to cover expenses going to the main tournament of 2007 Philippines Men's World Pool Championship:
1st place: 35% of total
2nd place: 25% of total
3rd and 4th place: 20% of total for each person.

Location: Joe's Billard, Central, Hong Kong
Detail address and phone number will be provided after sign up.
Please make sure you provide your mobile phone number or email address.

September 23, 2007: 8am start time.

Sign up: Please email the following details to: news@cues.com.tw,
or send sign up info to location front desk.

First name:
Last name:
Mobile phone number:
Email address:
Nationality:
Date of birth:

Deadline for sign up: 11:30pm, September 22, 2007.

Please show your passport at 8am, September 23rd. Tournament will start at 8:30am.

Contact phone number: +886-916-075-470

***** Hote booking:
If you need to book a hotel room, please do so together when you sign up.
King's Hotel (in the same building of the pool hall)
HKD$750
3 double rooms and 3 single room available, due to high season.
Other hotels have more rooms and can be arranged after sign up.

*****Guidelines for Players

A. Tournament will follow WPA 9-ball Rules. Winner's break.

B. Tournament Format – Group Play format:
a. Matches will be divided into Team A and Team B.
If over 30 minutes in a match, 45-sec shot clock will be used.
No extension is allowed in any match.
Every match is race to 7.

If 32 or less players: Round-robin;
If more than 32 players: Single elimination.

b. "Each player" takes random draws from the organizer.
The random draws will determine which player goes to Team A, which player goes to Team B.

c. Winner of Group Play is awarded 3 points; loser receives 1 point.
In the event of equal points, the tournament office will judge according to the following:

1. If two or more players have the same points,
overall winning racks will be counted to determine the ranking.
The more winning racks, the higher rank the player gets.

2. If total of the winning racks are equal,
higher rank goes to the player who has the least amount of the racks lost.

3. If the above 2 conditions are the same,
the higher rank will go to the player who has won the Group Play match between the two.

4. If the above 3 conditions still unable to determine the ranking,
random draws will be made.

C. Each match will have a referee to govern the play and the racking of the balls for each inning.
Referee will rack the ball to the tightest position.

Player cannot ask for examination of the balls before breaking the balls.

First warning will be given to the player who violates this rule.

If the player violates this rule for the second time,
the player will be announced lost for the rack.

The referee's judgment is the final ruling,
and no further discussions or alternative to this rule.

D. During each match, each player has the rights to ask for 1 time-out.
This does not limit to whether or not the player is to break the balls to start the game.

Permission for time-out is only allowed in between the racks,
meaning when the referee is racking the balls on the table.

Time-out is only effective when the referee confirms such request,
then the player may leave the seat. Each time-out is 5 minutes.

Over 5 minutes and not returning to continue the game is lost to the rack;
opponent player will be awarded of 1 winning rack.

E. The Top 4 of the Category 8 Qualifying will be consisted of:
a. Winner of Team A
b. 2nd place of Team A
c. Winner of Team B
d. 2nd place of Team B

1-8 entries: Asian Qualifier#1
9-24 entries: Asian Qualifier#2
25-32 entries: Asian Qualifier#3
32 and more entries: Asian Qualifier#4 
 
Depending on the number of entries, different number of winner(s)will be selected.

TAIWANESE WU CHIA CHING WINS BRUNEI 9-BALL CUP, FILIPINO ORCOLLO FAILED TO WIN ANOTHER MAJOR TITLE

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---FILIPINO DENNIS "ROBOCOP" ORCOLLO failed to win another major title this year after suffered a heart-breaking loss to eventual champion Wu Chia-ching of Chinese-Taipei who nailed a come-from behind 11-9 victory in their semi-finals confrontation on Saturday afternoon in the 2007 Brunei 9-Ball Invitational Cup 2007 at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas.

 

According to Perry Mariano, Orcollo's benefactor who is in Hongkong on Saturday and scheduled to arrive in Manila late Sunday that the 28-year-old Bislig, Surigao del Sur ace was hot at the start of the match going to the final canto taking a 9-4 commanding lead in the semis using a race-to-11 format.

 

However, Wu, the 18-year-old Taiwanese child prodigy came back and clustered seven straight racks to scored an 11-9 wins over Orcollo, the 2007 BCA (Billiards Congress of America) 9-Ball champion last May in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Wu clinch the championship's trophy plus the top prize of US$10,000 by beating Indonesian hopeful Ricky Yang, 13-10, in the finals.

Ricky settled runner-up prize of US$5,000 in the tournament 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.

 

Actually, Ricky is the conqueror of another Filipino entry and current double world champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, 9-7, in the quarter-final matches.

 

It was a sweet victory for Wu who lost in the last year's Brunei edition finals to compatriot and fellow World 9-ball Champion Fong-Pao-chao, 13-8.

 

Davao bet Gandy "Sapsal" Valle is the most outstanding Filipino cue artist in the 2006 Brunei 9-Ball Cup who settled for a fourth place finish. (MARLON BERNARDINO). 

 NEWS RELEASE

 

Japan, South Korea and Taiwan gear up for the broadcast of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20
ESPN STAR Sports secures broadcast deals in key North Asian Markets

Singapore, September 3, 2007- ESPN STAR Sports, Asia’s No. 1 sports broadcaster, announced today its broadcast rights partnership for three key North Asian countries, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan for the first edition of the ICC World Twenty20.

The New Media Group (TNMG) has been awarded the internet and television broadcast rights for Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and will feature the content on their flagship IPTV service, World On-Demand (www.WorldOnDeand.net). The cricket fans in these countries will have plenty to look forward to as both Japan and South Korea, which are ICC Associate and Affiliate Members respectively, have been seeing a rise in the sport’s popularity.  

 

An interesting trend to note is that while cricket is growing in popularity amongst the expatriate population in Japan and South Korea, the sport has been experiencing rising demand from locals as well. Along with this, cricket fans living in Taiwan too would be able to enjoy the maiden ICC World Twenty20 action.

 

Said Mr Manu Sawhney, Executive Vice President, Programming & Marketing, ESPN STAR Sports: “As the leader in the sports broadcasting industry, we are committed to delivering the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 South Africa 2007 action in all its glory to millions of cricket aficionados across the world. And, it is our endeavor to work along with ICC in taking the game of cricket to new markets and new audiences.

 

“With our partnership with The New Media Group for North Asia, we are confident of setting new benchmarks in distribution which will pave the way for a record number of fans to witness this exciting format of cricket in these countries.”

Mr Malcolm Speed, ICC Chief Executive Officer, said, “The ICC is extremely pleased to have  a committed partner in ESPN STAR Sports, who has helped further extend the reach of this tournament by continually setting new standards in global distribution and coverage of cricket”.

 

“I’m confident that these broadcast partnerships will eventually grow the popularity of cricket in emerging markets such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, as we see great potential in heightening the profile of this great game to Asian audiences.”

Late last year, ESPN STAR Sports’ affiliate, EML, was awarded the global telecast rights from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for all of their events from 2007 to 2015 and recently launched a dedicated 24x7 cricket channel, STAR Cricket, reinforcing its position as the leading sports broadcaster in cricket. And, in the short span of time since acquiring the rights, ESPN STAR Sports and its affiliate have already secured global coverage for the tournament with now over 110 countries slated to showcase the inaugural edition of ICC World Twenty20 spanning North America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Cyprus, Mauritius, South Asia and North Asia - including China and the Indian subcontinent.

Scheduled to take place in September 2007 in South Africa, the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 will be the first event to be broadcast by ESPN STAR Sports as a part of its eight-year agreement with ICC. The tournament has stirred up tremendous interest for cricket fans all over the globe, especially in South Africa where sell-out crowds are expected for the games.

 

PRESS RELEASE 9/5/07 Frank Alvarez III UPA, President

UPA Announces 2007 World Pool Participants   PHOENIX, AZ - The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (the "UPA") has announced the list of Touring Professionals that will be representing the U.S. at the 2007 World Pool Championship at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City Philippines on November 3-11, 2007. The following list is of the U.S. invites followed by their means of qualification:    Corey Deuel (Canton, OH) - Top 12 UPA Rankings                                 Johnny Archer (Atlanta, GA) - Top 12 UPA Rankings                               Mike Davis (Fayetteville, NC) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Rodney Morris (Houston, TX) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Rob Saez (Springhill, FL) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Shawn Putnam (Canton, OH) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Ronnie Wiseman (Detroit, MI) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Charlie Bryant (Houston, TX) - Top 12 UPA Rankings John Schmidt (Mobile, AL) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Charlie Williams (Orlando, FL) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Troy Frank (Melbourne, FL) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Shane Van Boening (Sioux Falls, SD) - Top 12 UPA Rankings Earl Strickland (Greenville, SC) - Former World Champion Jeremy Jones (Houston, TX) - Former U.S. Mosconi Cup  Tony Robles (Bronx, NY) - Former U.S. Mosconi Cup   North American Players can qualify for World Championship events by attaining top ranking on the UPA Tour.  Also, every UPA tour stop 1st and 2nd place finisher is automatically invited to the World Championships for both national and international players.  Congratulations to all of these gentlemen and best of luck in the championships!

 

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

AFTER a runner-up place finish in Bali, Indonesia, Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) stalwart Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza sets his eyes on the Grand Finals of 4th annual San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-ball Open gets underway on September 14-16.

The 28-year-old Davao Cue masters receive runner-up prize US$10,000 after yielding to eventual champion Taiwanese Chang Jung-lin (8-11) in the finals of Guinness 9-Ball Tour Grand Championship Final.

"Hindi umubra 'yung soft-break ko kay Chang, pero ginawa ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko, kaso ganoon talaga." Said the multiple gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games after the match late Sunday.

"Y'ung SMB RP 9-ball Open naman ang paghahandaan natin. Hindi biro ang makakalaban natin, puro higante," Corteza referring to two-time defending SMB RP 9-ball open champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante, current double world champion Ronato Alcano, 1999 World 9-ball champion Efren "Bata" Reyes, 2004 World 9-ball champion Alex Pagulayan, 2007 BCA enjoypool.com ruler Dennis Orcollo, 2006 Doha Asian games 9-ball gold medalist Antonio Gabica, and Filipino legendary Jose "Amang" Parica among others.

Corteza and his wife Gelia and Alcano along with Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) president Jonathan Sy are schedule to arrive yesterday.

Meanwhile, Sy revealed the other future event of his ward (Corteza), "Pagkatapos ng SMB RP 9-ball Open ay palalaruin ko si Van-Van (Corteza) sa Korea, Japan at sa Estados Unidos. Preparation n'ya na din sa World Pool Champion sa Nobyembre." Said Sy who is main objective to produce World 9-ball champion coming from Vis-Min.

NBS coach/ manager Christopher Palses who his in Bacolod said in a separate interview yesterday, "Dapat nating ipagmalaki si Van-Van (Corteza) ginawa niya ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya para magbigay ng karangalan sa bayan. Kahit papano ay umabot sa finals siya."

Prior the Grand Finale in Bali, Corteza emerged over-all champion in the Turning Stone Classic XI at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York last April 16 and a runner-up finish in the 2007 International Challege of Champion in Unscaville, Connecticut last April 12. (MARLON BERNARDINO)

 

KIAMCO, FELICIANO DOMINATES SMB RP 9-BALL OPEN QC LEG

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

CURRENT US Bar Table 9-ball and 8-ball champion Warren "Warrior" Kiamco and uprising Michael "Fighter Laguna" Feliciano hurdled their respective rivals to finish undefeated in this 64 man-field of the last leg of 4th annual San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-ball Open held last Sunday at the AMF-Puyat Commonwealth Lanes, Ever Gotesco Comonwealth in Quezon City.

The 37-year-old Kiamco who hails from Pasil, Cebu defeated John Patrick (7-3), Benjie Guevarra (7-2), Eric Navarrete (7-3), Allan Duloa (7-2) and Elmer Kalaquian (7-4), respectively.

 "Talagang binuhos ko na ang lahat dito, ito na kasi ang huling leg eh," said Kiamco, a newly-member of the rising Negros Billiard Stable headed by Jonathan Sy and Christopher Palses, who failed to qualified in the first four leg from Galleria, Davao, Bacolod and Baguio City leg.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa binigay na pagtitiwala nina Boss Jo (Jonathan Sy) at Toper (Christopher Palses)," Kiamco added.

Feliciano on the other hand, runner-up in the 2006 Manny Pacquiao 10-ball tournament in Malate last December bested Raymond Faraon (7-0), Roland Garcia (7-5), Rogelio Sotero (7-2), Steve Villamil (7-5) and Eduardo Saracho (7-3) to claim the first two slots in the event, organized by Solar Sports in close cooperation with Puyat Sports headed by Philippine Billiard God Father Aristeo "Putch" Puyat, with the continued patronage of San Miguel Beer who offered a total pot prize of Php1.35 million where the champion gets the lion's share of Php500,000.

Kalaquian and Saracho beat their respective opponents to secure the last two remaining slots in the loser's brackets, in this race-to-7, double elimination format to join Kiamco and Feliciano in the Grand Finals on September 14-16. Kalaquian beat Navarrete (7-4), while Saracho edges Salvador Repato (7-6), in the one loss side. The Dumaguete City native Saracho also beat fellow Japan based top seed Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego (7-4), the 2006 SMB Asian 9-ball tour leg champion in the third round of winner's side brackets.

The big 9-ball event in Quezon City was well attended, and strong players like BSCP founding president Edgar "Malabon" Acaba, Jarry "Putol" Pelayo, Roberto "Bert Pasay" Dy, Troy "Guwapito" Danao, Godofredo "Boy Cotabato" Ducanes, Roland "The Raging Bull" Garcia, Fidel Punzalan, Al James Ortega, Jomel Sultan, Ricky Gamboa, Alex Lumpay, national women's team members Rubilen Amit, Irish Ranola and Mary Ann Basas were among the 64 players in the event who are hoping to get the allotted last four remaining slots to advance in the Grand Finals.

Puyat Sports events manager Ish Caparras said that seeded in the main draw were two-time defending champion Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Leonardo "Dodong" Didal, Mike "Choke" Takayama, Carlo "Cool" Biado, Ronato "Volcano" Alcano, Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo, Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan and Jose "Amang" Parica. (MARLON BERNARDINO)

 

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

 

THE Angeles University Foundation team outscored Imus Institute in 3-sets 25-19,23-25, 25-20 to take a 2-0 lead in Bracket A of the on-going Petron Treats Boys' Volleyball League over the weekend at the Colegio de San Lorenzo Sports Complex in Congressional Avenue, Quezon City

 

Despite the early lead of AUF in the 2nd set, Imus Institute came in strong to tying the match at 16-all, 19-all, 21-all and 23-all. A successful block by Albin Arada and a spike by Jan Orense won the set for Imus.  In the 3rd set, Jerome Sibal and Neil Pamintuan combined for 17 kills to clinch the victory of AUF.

St. Francis of Assisi-Bacoor downed Chiang Kai Shek 25-17, 25-8 in this event presented by Petron Treats and supported by Shakey's, Toby's Sports, Mikasa and Asics. The Bacoor-based team banked on the trio of Garson Labiano, Jake Grady and Mark Alba whose 25 successful points and 6 kills gave SFAC its 1-1 standing in Bracket A.

Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila team surprised and pulled-off a win over Colegio San Agustin 25-18, 25-22. CSA, who trailed mostly in the 2nd set, staged a rally to lead at 21-19 but faltered on mis-cues to lose the set and match.  LRMR's Paul de Leon and Gene Narcisa  combined to deliver 27 points and 7 kills. LRMS now stands with a 2-2- slate while CSA slid down with a 1-2 standing in Bracket D.In other matches saw, St. Mary's School toppled St. Francis-Taguig in straight set. Games will resume at 1:30pm this weekend at Colegio de San Lorenzo Sports Complex in Congressional Avenue, Quezon City.(MARLON BERNARDINO)

CHANG WINS FIRST GUINNESS 9 BALL TOUR GRAND FINAL

Chinese Taipei sweeps Guinness 9 Ball Tour

 

For Immediate release

               

2 September 2007, Bali: Chinese Taipei's Chang Jung-Lin proved to be too much for the Philippines' National Champion Lee Vann Corteza in the Guinness 9 Ball Tour Grand Final held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Bali, clinching the title as the Tour's first ever Grand Champion with a 11-8 win and pocketing the top prize of US$36,000 as Asia's Pool King of 2007.

 

The two last faced each other in the first leg of the Guinness 9 Ball Tour in Jakarta last April, and this contest was supposed to be Corteza's chance to avenge his loss in the Final to Chang. The Filipino's runner-up finish in the Grand Final earned him US$10,000.

 

Still using the soft-break which allowed the Davao city native to orchestrate an 11-9 come-from-behind win over Chinese Taipei's Wu Chia-Ching in the semi-final earlier, Corteza was expected to deliver a strong performance in the final against Chang – especially since he had beaten him in the preliminary round in convincing fashion 9-3.

 

However, it was Chang who started off stronger as he opened up with a commanding 4-1 lead. But through sheer determination and perseverance, Corteza was able to chip away at the lead and knot the score at seven racks apiece, punctuated by a table rout at the 12th rack and brilliant clean-ups at the 13th and 14th racks.

 

Sensing the threat of a momentum shift, Chang answered right back with two straight racks of his own – breaking and running out in the 16th frame and capitalizing on a Corteza scratch off the break in the 17th rack to lead 9-7. In the 19th rack, with Chang sitting on the hill, Corteza was dealt a final blow as he committed a scratch off his break to concede the Grand Champion title to his opponent.

 

Said an emotional Chang: "Before today's victory, I sometimes felt that I don't deserve to be here with my Chinese-Taipei teammates because compared to them, they are already established international names in the region.

 

"Now that I've won my first international title, it gives me immense relief and joy because it means that all my years of training has finally come to fruition. It's more than just the monetary reward – it's about being recognised as an international player that makes this victory means so much to me."

 

In the first semi-final, Chang made a remarkable comeback to beat his compatriot and leader of the Order of Merit list, Yang Ching-Shun in the narrowest of margins, 13-12. Neither player gave an inch to each other, which stretched the match to a 3½-hour marathon that got the crowd of more than 580 pool fans on the edge of their seats.

 

Players must clinch 11 racks to win from the semi-finals stage onwards. Where there is a 10-all tie, players must beat their opponents by two clear racks, up to a maximum of 13 to win.

 

Wu, the 2005 World Pool Champion, was unbeaten in the Grand Final tournament until he met Corteza in second semi-final. The Filipino stunned the Chinese Taipei native 11-9 to clinch his final berth earlier.

 

Please see the results of this weekend's Grand Final:

 

Champion (US$36,000)

Chang Jung-Lin (TPE)

 

Runner-Up (US$10,000)

Lee Van Corteza (PHI)

 

Joint-third (US$5,400)

Wu Chia-Ching (TPE)

Yang Ching-Shun (TPE)

 

Preliminaries - 3rd Place (US$2,400)

Ronato Alcano (PHI)

Chao Fong-Pang (PHI)

 

Preliminaries – 4th Place (US$2,200)

Dharmindar Singh Lilly (IND)

Ibrahim Amir (MAS)

 

Preliminaries – 5th Place (US$2,000)

Ricky Yang (INA)

Bernard Tey (SIN)

 

In the finale of Asia's first-ever International Guinness Black Challenge over the weekend, Raymond Isham of Indonesia paired up with countryman Ricky Yang to win US$1,000 in the first Pro-Am tournament for consumers.

 

Today's event concludes five months of intense pool competition over five legs. For more information on the Tour, please check out www.guinness9balltour.com. For the latest schedules and program information on ESPN STAR Sports, catch us on the net at www.espnstar.com.

 

The Guinness 9Ball Tour is organized by ESPN STAR Sports' Event Management Group (EMG). Guinness is the title sponsor for the Tour. The local sanctioning body is Persatuan Olahraga Billiar Seluruh Indonesia (POBSI). Iwan Simonis and Aramith supply the official tablecloth and official balls respectively. Brunswick Metro provides the official pool table while Predator is the official cue. The Official Venue is the Grand Hyatt Hotel. STAR Sports is the official broadcaster.

Among the many countries in Asia, only Singapore is bidding for the mankind's first Youth Olympics! Is everyone awake? Can billiard sport get into it? Let's get working now together! (Cues Asia)

 

= = =

News quote:

Rogge Lifts Lid On Youth Olympic Games Interest

 

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has announced that five cities have already thrown their hats into the ring to stage the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010. Rogge made the announcement on Friday at the joint IOC Executive Board and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council meeting, which he chaired with IAAF President Lamine Diack. According to Rogge, Algiers (Algeria), Athens (Greece), Moscow (Russia), Turin (Italy), and Singapore have already applied to stage the competition.

“We need the support of athletics for the success of these Youth Olympics. Athletics is the main sport of our programme,” said Rogge (pictured right). Diack added: “The IAAF signalled its support to the Youth Olympics with the aim of encouraging young athletes to come back to our sport. We believe this competition offers the perfect formula to help us attain our goal of making athletics be the number one sport among the younger generation.” The IOC sent a letter to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) earlier this month informing them of the bidding process for the first Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

Following a postal vote by IOC members, the host city for the 2010 event will be announced at the end of February. The Youth Olympic Games will bring together approximately 3,500 14 to 18-year-old athletes, and the programme will comprise all sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Games. The IOC has also indicated that proposals from sports federations to integrate youth-driven disciplines that are not part of the Olympic Games may be accepted.

 

Semi Finals, today, Sunday

 

Lee Vann Corteza (Philippines) vs Wu Chia-ching (Chinese-Taipei)

 Chang Jun-ling (Chinese-Taipei) vs Yang Ching-shun (Chinese-Taipei)

 

LONE FILIPINO hopeful Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza trounced Malaysia's Ibrahim Bin Amir (9-5) late Saturday to arrange a semi-final showdown with former world 9-ball champion Wu Chia-ching of Chinese-Taipei in the ongoing Guinness 9-ball tour Grand Finals at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bali, Indonesia.

 

The 28-year-old Corteza, top player of Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) finished with 3-1 win-loss record in preliminaries Group stage match.

 

Corteza, who hails from Mintal, Davao City issued a devastating win over Singapore's Bernard Tey, 9-1, succumbed to former world 9-ball champion Taiwan's Chao Fong-Pao, 6-9, late Friday then crushed Taiwanese Chang Jung-Lin, 9-3, Saturday afternoon before booting out Bin Amir in Group B.

 

 It was a sweet victory for Corteza who lost to the Chang Jung-lin in the inauguration leg crown in Jakarta last April 20-22.

 

Actually, Corteza should thank Filipino-Malaysian Bin Amir, who edges Taiwanese Chao Fong-pao, 9-8, late Saturday, to prevent a complication in standing that put him in the final four.

 

Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) president Jonathan Sy will give boost to Corteza's semi-final bout today after the former (Jonathan Sy) is schedule to arrive yesterday to give moral support for his top player.  

 

Meanwhile, current WPA 9-ball and WPA 8-ball champion compatriot Ronato "Volvano" Alcano bested Indian Dharminder Lilly, 9-3, but not good enough to advance in the final four today.

 

The 34-year-old Alcano from Calamba City , Laguna finished with 2-2 win-loss card in Group A.

 

Alcano opened his bid in a bright note with a close 9-7 victory over Indon Ricky Yang but loss to Yang Shing-chun, 6-9, late Friday. Alcano suffered a humiliating 1 - 9 setback against Chinese Taipei's Wu Chia-Ching that dimmed his chance to progress.

 

The event started with 10 players with format calls play a single round robin for the race-to-nine alternate-break group stage where the top two players in each group will advance to the race-to-11 knockout semi-finals. The semis winners will play in the title and the US $36,000 championship prize.

A player must win by two racks up to a maximum of race to 13 in the semis and finals matches of the three-day $70,000 Grand Final.

The Guinness Top 10 also qualified to the 2007 WPA World 9-Ball Championship in Manila on November 3 to 11. ESPN Star Sports will air live telecast of the tournament starting 5:00 p.m. Friday, Hong Kong time.

The Guinness 9Ball Tour is organized by ESPN Star Sports' Event Management Group (EMG) in close cooperation with Persatuan Olahraga Billiar Seluruh Indonesia (POBSI). (MARLON BERNARDINO).