BILLIARDS IDOL RESULTS

Egie Geronimo got off to a strong start and then held off lady newcomer Tina Wells for a 7-4 victory to lead the opening round winners of the first leg of the Search for the New Billiards Idol Season 2 yesterday at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

Geronimo scored the match’s first three racks and looked headed for an easy outing until Wells, who took the game of balls and sticks less than a couple of months ago, rallied by pocketing three of the next four racks, giving the former a huge scare and forcing him to utilize his experience to weather the looming upset.

Both Geronimo and Wells are members of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano. Wells is one of the four pretty lady players being developed by Bugsy in aim to “revolutionize women’s billiards in the country.”

Besides the 20-year-old Wells, the three other Bugsy girls are Shiela Sieja, Chill Marx and Rizza Ostonal.

The victory put the 30-year-old Geronimo a set closer to the coveted Billiards Idol title and the P10,000 top prize at stake in this first of a yearlong series of tournaments organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) as its premier grassroots development program.

Other first round matches saw Benjie Guevarra blanking fellow last year’s one-time leg winner Joey Pardales, 7-0, while Mark Mendoza edged Rene Mar David, 7-6, and Jomar de Ocampo blasted William Millares, 7-4.

Richard Pornelosa downed Manny del Rosario, 7-2; Manolo Tanasas beat Sieja 7-2; Ramil Chico subdued Richie Tan, 7-2; Eric Sandoval whipped Jet Taiza, 7-3; John Rebong whacked Rodel Baddoc, 7-1; and Emil Martinez defeated Hadly Mariano, 7-0.

Defending Billiards Idol grand champion Mike Takayama lost by default to Troy Danao.

A total of 41 aspiring cue artists entered in the event sponsored by the Association of Club, Karaoke and Disco Operators, and supported by Senator Manny Villar’s Villiards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports.