WTBC is RP’s Wimbledon – Makabenta

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—It’s mission accomplished for Yen Makabenta.
The resolute chairman of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) gets the validation of his initiative to create a world championship in the country as the top pool players from around the globe compete in the World Ten Ball Championship (WTBC) on Nov. 25-30 at the World Trade Center in Manila.

“The WTBC is our Wimbledon,” Makabenta said. “The idea is to have a world championship that can call the Philippines home.”

Wimbledon, of course, is one of the four grand slam tournaments in tennis hosted every year by England.

Ironically, an Englishman – Darren Appleton – ruled the inaugural staging of the WTBC last year after beating Taiwanese star Wu Chia-ching.

Appleton will have a hard time defending it.
All the current world champions in the other pool disciplines are also coming in along with back-to-back US Open winner Mika Immonen of Finland.

Darryl Peach, also of England, wants to prove that his victory in the World Pool Championship two years ago is no fluke.

World 8-Ball Championship ruler Ralf Souquet of Germany tries to conquer old demons and score a breakthrough win in Philippine soil. He’s a runner-up to Ronnie Alcano when the country first hosted the WPC in 2006.

Niels Feijen of the Netherlands, the reigning world straight pool kingpin, also wants to prove his worth here and reestablish himself as Europe’s top player.

Past world champions are also out to regain lost glory with the country’s very own two-time world titlist Ronnie Alcano bidding for the pool’s version of Triple Crown.
Alcano topped the World 8-Ball Championship in 2007 following his success in the WPC.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO