Silvano joins roster of new billiards idols

Romeo Silvano came from behind to edge Egie Geronimo, 9-8, in the finals to rule the 12th leg of the Search for the New Billiards Idol last Sunday at the Superman Sports Bar in Libis, Quezon City.

Silvano, a journeyman from Tugatog, Malabon, bounced back from a couple of two-rack deficits to pull the rug from under Geronimo, a one-time leg winner, and become the newest baton-holder of this year-long series, a grassroots development project of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

For the feat, Silvano also took home the P10,000 top purse courtesy of the Association of Clubs, Karaoke and Disco Operators (ACKDO). Geronimo, a member of the star-studded Bugsy Promotions, settled for the runner-up prize of P5,000, while losing semifinalists Roland dela Cruz and Johann “Bubwit” Chua each received P2,500.

Before upending Geronimo, Silvano defeated Rene Mar David (7-6), Panfilo Damuag (7-6), Valeriano Pajuay (7-6) and Dela Cruz (8-4).

Geronimo, who won the sixth leg, made it to the championship round after beating in succession Bombom Haya (7-1), Ronell Ignacio (7-3), Benjo Casela (7-4), Godofredo Ducanes (7-5) and Chua (8-3).

Forty-two bets competed in the tournament also supported by Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions, Negros Billiards Stable and ER Cues.

Billiards Idol chief proponent Perry Mariano has announced that the Grand Finals of this year’s edition will be on December 14 also at the Superman Sports Bar with the top four finishers of all the previous for a guaranteed pot of P70,000 sponsored by Tiger Motorcycle.

The grand winner will be seeded in all BMPAP tournaments next year, and will be sent to a number of international competitions.