Chua heads cast in Villar Cup elims

MANILA, Philippines - Johann Chua leads the chase for the last six berths in the Sen. Manny Villar Cup Panagbenga leg as the two-day qualifier begins today at the Bowling Inn on Taft Avenue, Manila.

“It’s been my dream to become one of the best players in the world like my idols Efren “Bata” Reyes, Django Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Ronnie Alcano and Alex Pagulayan. That’s why I will do my best to grab every opportunity like this Villar Cup,” said Chua, tipped to join the big guns in the tournament proper after a quarterfinal finish in the Bali Open in December. He also beat Roberto Gomez in the first round of the Villar Bacolod leg.

Dozens of aspiring cue artists are competing in the elims of the event presented by Sen. Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and sponsored by Camella Communities.

Already in the main draw are Reyes, Alcano, Pagulayan, Orcollo, Bustamante, Lee Van Corteza, Antonio Lining, and last year’s leg winners Warren Kiamco (Alabang), Gandy Valle (Cebu), Ramil Gallego (Bulacan), Gomez (Davao) and Rodolfo Luat (Bacolod).

Also making it are 10 players from the BMPAP rankings in Carlo Biado, Russian Petiza, William Millares, Benjie Guevarra, Michael Feliciano, Elmer Haya, Egie Geronimo, Ricky Zerna, Godofredo Ducanes and Rene Mar David, as well as 2008 Search for the New Billiards Idol grand winner Mike Takayama.

The BMPAP also awarded the two wild card slots to top Filipina player Rubilen Amit and Canadian Gerry Watson.

The Villar Cup Panagbenga leg will be held in SM City Baguio. It will be part of the city’s month-long flower festival which over a million visitors are expected to witness.

Registration for the qualifiers will start at 9 a.m.

For details, call up the BMPAP at 0916-958-9897 or 0918-488-8624.