Vice President Noli de Castro will be the guest of honor when the country hosts the inaugural World 10-Ball Championships at the Philippine International Convention Center starting Sept. 29.
The Vice-President graces the opening rite set at 9:30 a.m., before doing the ceremonial break formally ushering in the group stage of the meet about thirty minutes later.
The world’s top 128 players representing 40 countries are vying for the total $400,000 purse at stake, $100,000 of which goes to the champion.
“This is going to be the biggest international billiards tournament in the country since I believe the World 9-Ball Championship has been postponed for next year. Billiards top guns are coming,” said Raya Sports president Yen Makabenta of the week-long tournament that ends on Oct. 5.
By big-time players Makabenta meant the likes of reigning world 9-ball champion Daryl Peach of Great Britain, former titlists Ralf Souquet and Thomas Engert of Germany, Chinese-Taipei’s Wu-Chia-Ching and Americans Johnny Archer and Shane Van Boening.
Also chairman of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP), Makabenta appeared at the PSA Forum yesterday at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch, accompanied by BSCP treasurer Sebastian Chua and spokesman Jun Diokno.
A seven-man contingent banner the Filipino side led by former Asian snooker champion Marlon Manalo, Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica, Jeffrey de Luna, Elvis Calasang, Elmer Kalaquian, Jerico Banares and Mario Tolentino.
A five-day qualifying meet is slated from Sept. 23-27 at the Star Billiards Center to complete the cast of players seeing action in the main tournament, an opportunity tournament organizers hope will see some of the Philippines’ top bets competing.
“It would be good if everybody would take part. But if they don’t we can’t do anything about it,” said Makabenta in the forum sponsored by Shakey’s, Accel, Brickroad gym and Aspen spa and MedCentral Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center.