Villar Cup 9-ball unfolds at SM Marilao

The country’s top cue artists vie for top honors in the Bulacan leg of the first Senate President Manny Villar Cup which begins today at the Events Center of SM City in Marilao, Bulacan.

Pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and defending Villar Cup champion Gandy Valle lead the cast of 32 players seeing action in the third leg of the series presented by Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports in cooperation with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

The tournament offers a total pot of P800,000 with the champion receiving P300,000.

Valle, who upended world No.1 Dennis Orcollo in the finals to rule the Cebu leg of the Villar Cup last month, will be among the players to watch in the three-day tournament sponsored by Camella Communities.

Other fancied bets are former two-time world champion Ronnie Alcano, former world No.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 2007 World Pool runner-up Roberto Gomez, reigning national champion Lee Van Corteza and Villar Cup Alabang leg winner Warren Kiamco.

Also making it to the Pro Elite category based on the BMPAP ranking system are Carlo Biado, Russian Petiza, Jharome Peña, Ramil Gallego, William Millares, Johann Chua, William Chua, Godofredo Ducanes, Rodolfo Luat, Benjie Guevarra, Jundel Mazon, Panfilo Damuag, Mike Takayama, Jomar de Ocampo, Rubilen Amit, Joey Pardales, Dondon Razalan, Michael Feliciano, Richard Pornelosa, Mark Mendoza, Romar Villones, Elmer Haya, Ricky Zerna and Marilao’s very own Egie Geronimo.

Kuwait ’s national team mainstay Abdulah al Yousef gained a wildcard slot to complete the 32-man field in the event supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and ER Cues.

Orcollo, along with former world titlist Alex Pagulayan and Joven Bustamante, will not be able to participate in the tournament since they will be competing in the Singapore leg of the Guinness 9-ball Tour.

After Bulacan, Villar Cup will have its next stop in Davao in August, to be followed by a leg in Tondo, Manila in September before its Grand Finals in Bacolod in October.