photo by: Marlon Bernardino

TWO of the three Philippine Junior representative paid a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez yesterday (Thursday) at the PSC office in Vito Cruz, Manila.

From left to right were: 14-year-old Jonas Magpantay, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and reigning national women’s champion Zemonette Oryan. Not in photo is RP junior champion Jerico Banares.

“Good luck to all of you in USA,” said PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, who hails from Davao City.

Backed up by BSCP, Raya Sports and PSC, the triumvirate (Banares, Magpantay and Oryan) will represent the country in the 2008 World-Pool Billiard Association (WPA) Junior World 9-Ball Championships on November 30 to December 4 at the Sands Regency Hotel in Reno, Nevada.

RODOLFO "BOY SAMSON" LUAT won the Bacolod International Billiard Festival, First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg. In the final he defeated fellow Negros Billiard Stable (NBS) bet Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego 13-10 to claim the $15,000 or more than a half a million pesos first prize was held at the Garden Royale in Bacolod City, on Sunday.

"Winning a tournament against the different world's best players is a very big accomplishment, and I'm very happy winning this game," said Luat, playing under the banner of Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) head sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy and NBS coach Christopher "Toper" Palses.

"Maraming salamat din sa suporta nina Boss Jo (Jonathan Sy) at Toper (Christopher Palses)," added Luat, who is best to remember winning the 1996 World Open Nine-ball Championship, much known "Boy Samson" in a pool world, moniker he has carried since the 1970s because of his powerful break.

The feat made Luat the first winner of this international event hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) of businessman Jonathan Sy and sponsored by Camella Communities and Kopiko.

Rodolfo “Boy Samson” Luat defeated Bacolod Bet Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego, 13-10, in the finals to rule the just concluded The Bacolod International Billiard Festival, First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg late Sunday at the Garden Royale, Bacolod City.

Winning a tournament against the different world's best players is a very big accomplishment, and “I'm very happy winning this game," said veteran Boy Samson Luat of the Negros Billiards Stable businessman Jonathan Sy.

The feat made Luat the first winner of this international event hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) of businessman Jonathan Sy and sponsored by Camella Communities and Koppiko. It also earned him the top purse of $15,000.00, or more than a half a million pesos.

BACOLOD CITY – Joven Bustamante and Ramil Gallego trounced their respective foes to arrange a quarterfinals showdown in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg yesterday at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here.

Bustamante, a member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions of businessman Perry Mariano, demolished local bet Elmer Haya, 11-5, while Gallego made mincemeat of Japanese Kenji Taguchi, 11-5, to become the first players to move three steps closer to the prestigious title and the $15,000 top purse at stake in the island-hopping series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.

Coming off a huge win over former World Cup of Pool titlist Fu Jianbo of China in the opening round, Bustamante sustained his fiery form against Haya as he quickly raced to a 9-0 lead to set the tone for a rout.

“Maganda ‘yung naging simula ko, as I ran out the first four racks at ‘yung ang naging key,” said the 29-year-old Bustamante.

“I just hope I could continue my good game or even improved it dahil siguradong papahirap nang papahirap na ang mga laban habang papalapit sa finals,” he added.

Gallego, who ruled the Bulacan leg of this tour sponsored by Camella Communities, also had an easy sailing against Taguchi, as the stalwart of the rising Negros Billiards Stable opened the game with 9-2 run and never gave the foreign bet any room to recover.

Both Bustamante and Gallego are already assured of a $1,000 payout in this four-day competition organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the city government of Bacolod led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) of businessman Jonathan Sy.

FORMER double world champion Ronato "Volcano" Alcano toppled youthful Noel "Weng-Weng" Caro in a come from behind victory, 11-9, advance into the Last 16 of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg being held at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex in Bacolod City. Alcano, who is seeking his first title in almost two years,romped off to a strong start, posting a four rack lead after the eighth frame. But just as it seemed that the 33-year-old stalwart of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions was on his way to an easy victory, a miscue on the ninth rack suddenly turned the tide as Caro took advantage of it
to launch a 4-0 run to tie the game at 6-6.

"Ang hirap talaga ng bilyar, kahit anong laki ng lamang mo hindi ka nakakasiguro hannga't hindi mo napapasok 'yung huling bola. Isang pagkakamali mo lang pwede ka pa ring matalo, kaya hangga't maari hindi ka magkamali," said Alcano.

A seesaw battle then ensued for the succeeding six racks until Alcano leaned on his vast experience of playing in a close contest and capitalized on Caro's lack of it to pocket the next two and clinch the ticket to the next stage of this prestigious event presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports and sponsored by Camella Communities.

"I admit, medyo naging overconfident ako, lalo na nung nakalayo agad ako. Kaya isang aral ito na tatandaan ko at pagbubutihin ko pa ang aking laro para mag-champion dito sa Villar Cup," added Alcano.