VILLAR CUP GOES TO CALABARZON

(photo caption): Senator Manny B. Villar receives from BMPAP and BSCP officials the Plaque of Appreciation for his unwavering support to the sport of billiards and to the country’s cue artists. Giving the plaque are BSCP officers Mahar Mangahas, Aristeo “Putch” Puyat (chairman) and Arturo Ilagan (president). Also in photo are is BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez, along with the country’s top cue artists led by Efren “Bata” Reyes.

After finally claiming a world title, Dennis Orcollo is back in the country to chase one accolade that has been eluding him.

The newly-crown Predator International 10-Ball champion will try to sustain his hot trick when he competes in Calabarzon leg of The Manny Villar Cup starting on Friday at the SM City Mall in Lipa City in Batangas.

“I hope I could continue my good performance, especially in this Villar Cup, which we Filipino billiards players consider as one of the prestigious tournaments now,” said Orcollo.

The 30-year-old former world no.1 cue artist had seen action in six of the past seven legs of the island-hopping series presented by Senator Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports. His best showing was a runner-up finish to Gandy Valle in Cebu in June 2008.

“I’ve been trying very hard to win the Villar Cup, but it’s like a world championship,” added the pride of Bislig, Surigao del Sur and Quezon City .

With his victory in the international arena, Orcollo will be the marked man, especially with recently-held Isabela leg winner Roberto Gomez not seeing action in this three-day event coorganized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), sponsored by Camella Communities and sanctioned by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).

Gomez, who also ruled the Davao leg to become the first double winner in the series, is still campaigning in the United States .

But being the man-to-beat is one thing and actually winning is another, as Orcollo will have to deal with a tough field composed of fellow grizzled veterans and a horde of up and coming youngsters.

For one, there is the legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, who continues to be a force to reckon with, especially with his strong semifinals finish in Isabela.

The other world-class veterans competing in the tournament are former world champion Ronnie Alcano, 2007 national titlist Lee Van Corteza, and former leg champions Warren Kiamco (Alabang), Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan), Rodolfo Luat (Bacolod) and Francisco “Django” Bustamante.

The young Turks will be led by Joven Bustamante, Rene Mar David, Mike Takayama, Michael Feliciano, Ricky Zerna and Egie Geronimo.

Joining the mix are six players, who will come off the qualifying tournament to be held on Thursday also at SM City Lipa. The tournament is exclusive to residents of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces as it will also serve a the Calabarzon Regional Championship, a qualifier for the National Championship slated late this year.

Villar Cup Press release