Rising cue artist goes for repeat

MANILA, Philippines – Jomar de Ocampo will have his hands full when the rising Bugsy star defends the baton against an expected huge field of contenders in the Search for the New Billiards Idol Season 2, which continues with its third leg today at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

The 21-year-old son of Alaminos, Pangasinan became the second winner of this monthly grassroots tournament organized by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) after besting dozens of other hopefuls including leg 1 champion Benjie Guevarra in the finals.

“It’s difficult to make it back-to-back because of the strong field, but I’ll give it my best shot,” said De Ocampo, who also won last season’s third leg of this series now sponsored by Ropa Commercials.

Dozens of aspiring cue artists have been competing in this event with hopes of barging into the elite circle of the country’s world-revered pool masters led by no less than the game’s icon Efren “Bata” Reyes.

Billiards Idol now also has regular female participants, including Bugsy girls Shiela Sieja, Tina Wells and Chill Marx, who are preparing for the forthcoming World Women’s Championship, which will be held in Manila in June.

Sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Search for the New Billiards Idol is open to all cue artists except those who are already in the so-called “Class O” or all-star level.

The entry fee is only P200, and for more details contact Valle at 0916-958-9897.