Villar bats for pool support

MANILA, Philippines - The Villards Cup pool circuit got going in Bulacan last Sunday with patron Sen. Manny Villar batting for the continued support of the sport and those where Filipino athletes can excel in international arena.

Villar has been backing billiards the last few years by staging a series of tournaments nation-wide through the Villar Foundation.

“Billiards has been our source of pride in various international competitions and this has been proven by the likes of Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Ronnie Alcano and Dennis Orcollo,” said Villar during the opener of the Villards Cup at Starmall in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The Villar Foundation started the Villards Cup in 2008 and from providing a regular venue for the country’s top cue artists, it has focused more on discovering new talents.

“Villards Cup is one of the sports-oriented programs of the Villar Foundation to encourage the youth to engage in sports, and keep them away from the streets and from illegal drugs,” said Villar Foundation managing director and former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

Sixteen players from Bulacan qualified in the Villards Cup leg, which stakes cash prizes worth P300,000.

In early results, Resty Labastida of Bocaue nipped Victor Calipaya, 7-6; Eduardo Lim of Meycauayan routed Baliwag’s Jonas Paolo Ramos, 7-0; Marilao’s Egie Geronimo defeated Plaridel’s Ronnel Datiles, 7-5; and Jordan Legaspi of Bocaue blasted Jennalyn Francisco of San Jose, 7-1.

Gary Esguerra of Baliwag also edged Richard Aquino, 7-6; William Trinidad of Angat downed Jaypee Salih of San Jose, 7-5; Kenneth Garcia of Marilao held off Marvin Glinogo, 7-6; and Robert Belicaro of Sta. Maria outlasted RJ Bodol, 7-5.