Stellar field vies in Subic Open pool

MANILA, Philippines - The first Subic-Olongapo Open Pool Championship gets going April 21 with a banner field vying for the top $10,000 prize at the Olongapo City Convention Center on April 21-23.

Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei and Filipino Jericho Banares head the field in the four-day event with the junior standouts hoping to top their respective brackets for a crack at the championship.

The duo actually clashed in last year’s World Juniors finals in Reno, Nevada with Ko prevailing to retain his crown.

But Banares, if ever they clash again in the finals, has vowed to produce a different result.

Ko has brought his act from the juniors circuit to the seniors league in impressive fashion. He won the Bangkok Open last year by beating top-rated Dennis Orcollo of the Philippines.

Banares took top honors in the third Billiard Stars Search last March via sweep. He also had posted impressive performances in the Mandaluyong Mayor’s Cup, the Puerto Princesa Mayor’s Cup and the 2008 World 10-Ball Championship.

Coming in as third seed is Fu Che Wei of Chinese Taipei, a top four player in Chinese Taipei and a consistent performer in major international tournaments.

Seeded fourth is Jeffrey De Luna, who topped the Manny Pacquiao International Pool Championship and currently ranked No. 4 by the Asian Pocket Billiards Union (APBU).

Others seeing action are Filipino Demosthenes Pulpul, Ricky Yang of Indonesia, Amir Ibrahim of Malaysia and Alan Cuartero. 

Pulpul reached the semifinal round of last year’s inaugural staging of the World 10-Ball Championship in Manila.

A total of 19 foreign players from Asia, Europe and the Middle East and over 30 Filipino players have registered for the tournament.  

Meanwhile, the qualifying round will be held this weekend at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City. Participants will compete for eight spots in the main tournament.