Fil-Japanese beats Russian to win inaugural 9-ball 'Idol' search

MANILA, Philippines - Mike Takayama was crowned the champion in the first Search for the New Billiards Idol after the 19-year-old half-Japanese Filipino defeated Russian Petiza 7-4 in the event's Grand Finals Sunday night at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City. With Takayama ready to clean up the 11th rack, Petiza stood up and threw the towel. "I waited for this shot at winning a major tournament. I'm happy to get this far," said Takayama, who also took home P40,000. Before he beat Petiza, Takayama trounced Michael Feliciano 7-3, Joey Pardales 7-2, and Elmer Haya 7-2 in the preliminaries. In the quarterfinals, Takayama bounced back from a 6-4 deficit to edge Roberto Dy 7-6, before he defeated Richard Pornelosa 7-4 in the semifinals. Petiza, who traveled for 24 hours from Iloilo province just in time for the tournament, settled for P15,000. He made it to the finals by walloping Romar Villones 7-1 in the final four. Pornelosa and Villones each received P5,000 for finishing joint third in 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. - GMANews.TV