RP gears up for two major billiards events in November

Billiards action heats up in November when the country hosts two major events – the National Pool Championships for men and women and the 2nd World Ten Ball Championship. First lined up this month is the NPC, which will be held from Nov. 3 to 8. The first four rounds of the tournament will be held at the Star Billiards in Quezon City from Nov. 3 to 6 while the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals matches will be played at the SM North EDSA Annex from Nov.7 to 8 This will be followed by the 2nd World Ten Ball Championship of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPBA) from November 19 to 30, which is expected to attract more than 200 of the world’s top players and hundreds of international billiards officials and enthusiasts. Up for grabs in the NPC, which is open to all Filipino billiard players, is a total prize fund of P500,000 with the male champion receiving P150,000 and the female titlist getting P50,000. Trophies will also be given to the top three placers in both divisions. The NPC is a 10-ball tournament under WPA rules. It features a double-elimination up to the Final Four, when the competition becomes a knockout affair. The Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) board and officers headed by president Sebastian Chua) and chairman Yen Makabenta have set no seeding and no limits to the number of players who can enter the national championships. They are inviting billiard clubs and associations all over the country to send their representatives. The entry fee is P600 and P300 in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. Previous winners of the BSCP National Pool Championships are Alex Pagulayan, Lee Van Corteza and Marlon Manalo. Manalo, a former Asian Snooker champion, is expected to defend his title against a big cast of participants from different parts of the country. Zemonette Oryan is the defending champion in the women’s division. Besides trophies and cash prizes, the NPC offers four guaranteed berths in the World Ten Ball Championship later in the month. Following tradition, the top four players in the tournament who are not yet qualified for the WTBC will be awarded the spots. For more information, call Michael Tan (0909-2222225); Carlos Santos-Viola (0921-5014550); and Sol Gueco, 0910-8875216. – GMANews.TV