SMB-QC 9-ball unwraps today

Over a hundred players vie for spots in the San Miguel Beer-Quezon City 9-ball Championship in a series of qualifying tournaments beginning today at the Paeng’s Bowling and Billiards Center in Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City.

Up for grabs in the three-day elims are 15 slots in the 32-man main draw in the first major billiards event in the country this year presented by San Miguel Beer in cooperation with the Quezon City government, led by Mayor Sonny Belmonte.

Heading the cast in the main draw, slated March 17-19 at the Trinoma Mall in North Edsa, former world 9-ball champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, former world No. 1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, reigning world’s top ranked player Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez, Lee Van Corteza, Gandy Valle, Rodolfo Luat, Warren Kiamco, Ramil Gallego, Joven Bustamante and top lady bet Rubilen Amit, as well as regional qualifiers Aram Serquiano, Romar Villones, William Chua and Romeo Timcang.

“We’re overwhelmed by the response we’re getting. We’ve been receiving more than a hundred inquiries ever since we announced the event, and close to a hundred have already signed up and many more are expected to come and register before the competition,” said Perry Mariano, whose Bugsy Promotions is co-organizing the event with Puyat Sports and Negros Billiards Stable (NBS).

Organizers of the event, conducted by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and backed by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Trinoma, The Philippine STAR, Ayala Malls, Philippine Poker Tour (PPT), said the top prize will be $10,000.

A brief and simple opening ceremony will usher the competition with BMPAP president Vic Rodriguez as the guest of honor.

The top four finishers in each of the three qualifying tournaments will advance to the main draw, which will be shown live on ABC 5 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The remaining three wildcard berths will be awarded to the players who garnered most points from the three qualifiers.

All the players in the main tournament are assured of cash prizes.