30 Bata wannabes clash in Idol final

Thirty up-and-coming cue artists gather to compete in the Grand Finale of the Search for the New Billiards Idol that starts on Sunday at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

The players are the top performers from the 13 legs of the inaugural season of this pilot grassroots development program of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) in cooperation with Bugsy Promotions headed by businessman Perry Mariano.

Besides the prestigious title, the Ultimate Billiards Idol will also receive half of the P80,000 cash pot at stake in this two-day event sponsored by the Association of Clubs Karaoke and Disco Operators (ACKDO) and Tiger Motorcycle, and supported by Puyat Sports, Negros Billiards Stable and Senator Manny Villar’s VILLARDS: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippines Sports.

He will also be seeded in all Villar Cup legs next year. Leading the aspirants is three-time leg winner William Millares, along with former baton-holders Mark Mendoza, Jomar de Ocampo, Benjie Guevarra, Egie Geronimo, Joey Pardales, Romar Villones, as well as teenage sensations Johann “Bubwit” Chua and Rene Mar “Revo” David.

The Search for the New Billiards Idol, which began last February, has attracted more than 200 participants from all over the country.

Apart from its regular leg at the AMF-Puyat Billiards Center in New Farmer Plaza in Cubao, the series also had stops in Davao and Bacolod.

Dozens of aspiring cue artists gather anew when the Search for the New Billiards Idol resumes with its 1t leg on Saturday at the AMF-Puyat Billiards Center in New Farmers Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.

Besides the chance to become the country’s new pool star, players will also be vying for the top prize of P10,000 in this tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) and supported by Bugsy Promotions, Puyat Sports, Negros Billiards Stable and Senate President Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine sports.

The runner-up will receive P5,000, while the two other semifinalists will take P2,500 each.

Also up for grabs in the event are BMPAP ranking points, which will be one of the bases in the selection of players for the soon-to-be-launched National Billiards League (NBL).

William Millares will be back to defend the baton against hordes of fellow upstarts. The 21-year-old stalwart of Fe Promotions of Sta.. Maria, Bulacan councilor Fe Ramos won the series’ 10th leg last August 23 to become the first two-time champion of this tournament, which is open to all cue artists except those who are already in the so-called “Class O” or all-star level at a token entry fee of only P200.

Leading the challengers to Millares’ hold of the title are former leg winners Mark Mendoza, Jomar De Ocampo, Benjie Guevarra, Egie Geronimo, Joey Pardales and Romar Villones.

The competitions will start at 11 a.m. and for further details, contact the BMPAP secretariat at 0926-724-9055, 0918-488-8624 or 0929-964-3350.