RP launches bigger, tougher World Pool

The Philippines braces for a bigger, better World Pool Championship in November with defending champion Ronnie Alcano leading five seeded Filipino players in the 9-ball event which features the finest pool players in the world.

The country secured the rights to host the annual event, offering a total pot money of P20 million and scheduled Nov. 3-11, after Harvey Davis of ESPN-Star Sports and Raya Sports signed a memorandum of agreement, making the Philippines the host of the annual event for the second straight year.

"We’re very excited to host this big event for the second year in a row," said Billiards and Snookers Congress of the Philippines president Ernesto Fajardo in yesterday’s media launch at the Sofitel Hotel. "We hope that it showcases not only the Filipinos’ talent in the sport but also the whole of the Philippines as well."

No less than President Arroyo presided over the contract-signing along with Barry Hearns of Matchroom sports, which owns the license to the World Pool championship held last year at the PICC.

Also present during the launch was BSCP chair Yen Macabenta.

Davis, ESPN-Star Sports’ senior director for events management, said they expect millions of viewers not only in the country but also in Asia, Europe and the United States as well to witness the year’s biggest billiards spectacle.

"This is the fourth time we’re showing the event to the world and second time in the Philippines. We’re happy to be back," said Davis.

Organizers said they would need some P60-P65 million to stage the event with giant food and beverage company San Miguel Corp. as one of the event’s major sponsors.

Raya also announced it will stage the second BSCP National Pool Championship slated March 26-31 as a prelude to the World Pool tilt where four world pool slots are at stake plus berths in the RP squad seeing action in the 2007 Bangkok Southeast Asian Games.

Also on tap in another banner year for RP billiards is the first Philippine 10-ball Open set in September.

Alcano, who defeated German ace Ralf Souquet in last year’s finale and took home $100,000, gains an automatic berth in this year’s World 9-ball Championship along with 1999 champion Efren "Bata" Reyes, 2004 winner Alex Pagulayan and last year’s round of 16 qualifiers Rodolfo Luat and Jeff de Luna.

Organizers have seeded the past champions and the top 16 finishers in last year’s edition, leaving the likes of 2006 Doha Asian Games gold and silver medalist Antonio Gabica, former world No. 1 Francisco "Django" Bustamante to pass through the qualifying process to make it the tournament proper. – Joey Villar