BILLIARDS IDOL 2 UNFURLS JANUARY 18

Dozens have signed up and more are expected to join the Search for the New Billiards Idol, which begins with its second season on January 18 at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

With the chance of barging into the elite circle of the country’s world-renowned cue artists as the ultimate prize, this yearlong series, espoused by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), is now considered as the premier grassroots development program of Philippine billiards.

Bugsy boy Johann “Bubwit” Chua is one of the aspirants trying to become the next Billiards Idol.

“This is our commitment, and we’re doing it in the absence of a program from those who are supposed to do it,” said BMPAP co-founder Perry Mariano, who conceptualized the project early last year.

Last year, ‘Billiards Idol’ has attracted some 300 wannabes in its 15 preliminary legs, including provincial stop in Davao and Bacolod , and a Grand Finals featuring 27 top performers from the preliminaries.

Mike “the Lightning Kid” Takayama, a 19-year-old Fil-Japanese, bested the strong field of promising stars to emerge as the New Billiards Idol. He also pocketed a P40,000 cash prize sponsored by the Association of Clubs Karaoke and Disco Operators. Moreover, Takayama will also be seeded in all Villar Cup next year, a reward courtesy of Senator Manny Villar’s VILLARDS: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.

Other Billiards Idol legs will be on February 22, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 18, October 20, November 22 and December 13.

Each tournament will have a total pot of P20,000, including a lion’s share of P10,000 to the champion.

The entry fee will still be at a token amount of P200.

For more details contact BMPAP secretary-general Gandy Valle at 0916-958-98-97 or the BMPAP secretariat at 0918-488-8624.