Pool events sa Laos SEAG dodominahin ng mga Pinoy

MANILA, Philippines - Inaasahang dodominahin ng mga local cue artists ang pool events sa darating na 25th Southeast Asian Games sa Laos.

Ito ang prediksyon ni national head coach Boyet Asonto hinggil sa magiging tsansa ng national men's at women's team sa nasabing biennial event na nakatakda sa Disyembre.

"Our strength will be in the pool events and I will not be surprised if we sweep the five pool events," ani Asonto. "But we are also formidable in the snooker and carom events and if luck will be in our side, we might be able to win all the gold medals at stake in billiards."

Tumumbok ang Team Philippines ng 8 gold, 2 silver at 1 bronze medals sa 2005 Philippine SEA Games, habang 2-2-4 naman ang kanilang naiuwi noong 2007 sa Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Muling pangungunahan nina Alex Pagulayan, Renato Alcano at Efren "Bata" Reyes, mga ti-nanghal na world pool champions, ang kampanya ng koponan sa billiards events sa 2009 Laos SEA Games.

Sasabak si Pagulayan, isang Fil-Canadian, sa singles at doubles events ng snooker, habang idedepensa ni Alcano ang kanyang titulo sa 8-ball singles at lalahok naman si Reyes sa English billiards.

Pamumunuan naman ni Rubilen Amit, ang world 10-ball champion, ang laban ng women's team sa 8-ball at 9-ball singles event.

Ang iba pang miyembro ng national squad ay sina Roberto Gomez (singles at doubles snooker), Benjie Guevarra (English billiards), Francisco Bustamante (8-ball singles), Dennis Orcollo at Ramil Gallego (9-ball singles), Warren Kiamco at Gandy Valle (9-ball doubles), Mary Grace Basas (women's 8-ball singles) at Irish Ranola (women's 9-ball singles). (Russell Cadayona)