The Manny Villar Cup, a two-in-one tournament featuring the current and future stars of Philippine billiards, is all set for its inaugural staging from May 6 to 10 at the Starmall in Alabang.
The rich, star-studded event was launched yesterday during a press conference that was graced by billiards superstars Django Bustamante, Ronnie Alcano and Alex Pagulayan.
Senate President Manny Villar, the honoree, was in attendance along with billiards godfather Putch Puyat and Bugsy Promotions president Perry Mariano.
“Billiards is one of the very few sports where we are number one in the world. And Filipinos are suited for this sport. These are the reasons why I chose to support this sport,” said Villar.
“I hope this tournament goes a long way. In fact, we plan to bring this tournament to the provinces. Basketball has too many supporters already so I’ll stick with billiards,” he added.
The tournament is being organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines headed by Vic Rodriguez, the president. The Negros Billiards Stable of Jonathan Sy is also behind the tournament.
Bustamante, Alcano and Pagulayan, three of the most feared names in the world of pool, are listed in the Master of the Ring section that drew 24 of the country’s cream of the crop.
Bustamante and Pagulayan are scheduled to compete in the United States but have been given slots to the Manny Villar Cup in case there are changes in their schedules.
Also in are Efren “Bata” Reyes, Dennis Orcollo, Roberto Gomez, Gandy Valle, Lee Van Corteza, Warren Kiamco, Rodolfo Luat, Ramil Gallego, Eduardo Villanueva, Roel Esquillo and Fiden Punzalan.
They will dispute the champion’s purse of P400,000.
Runner-up gets P200,000 and the losing semifinalists will take home P100,000 each.
The other category, dubbed “New Billiards Idol’s Sipag at Tiyaga,” is open to all amateurs with the rank of “panersera” or third-tiered and below, and offers P200,000 to the winner.
Runner-up gets P80,000, third and fourth P30,000, fifth to eighth P10,000 each and ninth to 16th P3,000 each. A total of 128 players from as far as Cebu, Davao and Iloilo have listed up for this bracket. – Abac Cordero