VILLAR CUP ISABELA LEGS CUES OFF TODAY

Santiago City – Dozens of aspiring Isabelino cue artists mix it up in their bid to join and pit their skills with the country’s world-class as The Manny Villar Cup kicks off its Isabela leg today at the La Salette High School here in the booming tourism hub of this bustling province.

These wannabes will compete for the five remaining slots to the 32-man main draw of this prestigious island-hopping series presented by Senator Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.

Aside from the chance to test their mettle against the likes of Efren “Bata” Reyes and defending leg winner Francisco “Django” Bustamante, the stage one survivors will also have a shot at the P800,000 pot at stake in this event coorganized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines, sponsored by Camella Communities and sanctioned by the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.

“We want to give those aspiring players from the countryside more chances to realize their dreams of joining our elite crop of world-class billiards players that’s why we’ve decided to give them more slots,” said BMPAP president Atty. Vic Rodriguez.

“This is in line with Senator Villar’s commitment to help further develop the sport and produce more world-class players,” he added.

Isabela prides itself for being the hometown of former world champion Alex Pagulayan. (Pagulayan though will not see action in this leg as he is set to fly to the United States to defend his World Pool Masters title next week.)

Besides Reyes and Bustamante, the other marquee players competing in the tournament are former world no.1 Dennis Orcollo, two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, and former leg winners Warren Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan), Roberto Gomez (Davao) and Rodolfo Luat ( Bacolod ).

Also in field are veteran internationalists Lee Van Corteza, Joven Bustamante and Godofredo Ducanes, as well as rising stars Rene Mar David, Mike Takayama, Michael Feliciano, Benjie Guevarra, William Millares, Russian Petiza, Elmer Haya, Ricky Zerna Egie Geronimo, Jomel Sultan, Jharome Pena, Ruben Cuna and Emil Martinez.

By: Press release