Strickland leads US players in RP World Pool Championship

Former World Pool champ Earl "The Pearl" Strickland will lead a crack team of 15 American cue artists hell bent on making a strong finish at the 2007 World Pool Championship (WPC) to be held in the Philippines from November 3 to 11. The United States Professional Poolplayers Association (UPA) selected the members of the US contingent based on their performance in major US pool events and previous World Pool Championships, according to the tournament organizers in a statement issued on Friday. American players have to attain top ranking in the UPA Tour. Also, at every UPA tour stop, the first and second place players are automatically invited to the WPC. Strickland, noted for his erratic behavior in tournaments, won the WPC in 2002 in Cardiff, Wales, against Filipino stalwart Francisco "Django" Bustamente, with a score off 17-15. Rising young player Shane Van Boening will also be part of the US team. Van Boening, nicknamed the South Dakota Kid, has made a name for his stellar play this year in major tournaments in the US, often against Filipino aces. Most notable is his winning the Predator International 10-Ball Championship in Florida. In alphabetical order, the other players are: • Johnny Archer • Charlie Bryant • Corey Deuel • Mike Davis • Troy Frank • Jeremy Jones • Rodney Morris • Shawn Putnam • Tony Robles • Robb Saez • John Schmidt • Charlie Williams • Ronnie Wiseman The Philippines is hosting the WPC for the second year in succession. This year's championship is being presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Tickets to the WPC are now on sale at all SM stores nationwide and at the Araneta Coliseum box office. - GMANews.TV