Mike Takayama is the new billiards idol!

The 19-year-old young gun from the star-studded Bugsy Promotions swept his way to the finals and then subdued stablemate Russian Petiza, 7-4, in the titular showdown to rule the Search for the New Billiards Idol Grand Finals Sunday night at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

“Yes!” screamed Takayama after Petiza threw the towel as the former was about to clean up the 11^th rack and clinch the prestigious title in this yearlong series of tournaments organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) in cooperation with Bugsy Promotions headed by businessman Perry Mariano.

“Matagal kong hinintay at pinagsikapang manalo ng isang malaking tournament, at masayang-masaya ako na natupad ko ito ngayon. Alam kong malayo pa ang tatahakin ko para maabot ‘yung level nina champ Efren (“Bata” Reyes), pero masaya ako at nakuha ko itong isang hakbang patungo doon,” added the Fil-Japanese, who is known for his speed shots.

Apart from being crown as the new billiards idol, Takayama also received a cash prize of P40,000 at stake in this one-day event sponsored by by the Association of Clubs Karaoke and Disco Operators (ACKDO) and Tiger Motorcycle, and supported by Puyat Sports, Negros Billiards Stable and Senator Manny Villar’s VILLARDS: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippines Sports.

Moreover, Takayama will also be seeded in all Villar Cup legs next year.

“Higit sa pera, mas masaya ako sa premyo na ‘yan (being seeded in the Villar Cup), dahil magkakaroon ako ng chance na makalaban yung mga best player dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Senator Villar at sa BMPAP sa premyong ito,” he said.

Before beating Petiza, Takayama trounced fellow Bugsy boy Michael Feliciano, 7-3, Joey Pardales, 7-2, and Elmer Haya, 7-2, in the preliminary rounds. He than bounced back from a 4-6 deficit to edged Roberto Dy, 7-6, in the quarterfinals, before blasting another Bugsy boy Richard Pornelosa, 7-4, in the semifinals.

Petiza, who traveled 24 hours by land from Iloilo just in time for the tournament, settled for the runner-up purse worth P15,000. He made it to the finals by walloping Negros Billiards Stable’s Romar Villones, 7-1, in the Final Four.

Pornelosa and Villones each received P5,000 for finishing joint third from the field of 27 players.

The Search for the New Billiards Idol, which began last February, has attracted more than 200 participants from all over the country during its 13 legs.

Apart from its regular leg at the AMF-Puyat Billiards Center in New Farmer Plaza in Cubao, the series also had stops in Davao and Bacolod.

“We will continue it next year, as this is the BMPAP’s commitment to help further develop Philippine billiards,” said Mariano.

BY:Press Realease