MANILA, Philippines – Reigning Japan Open champion Ramil Gallego and former Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Lining of the BMPAP Selection used a strong start then hung tough to edge the Negros Billiards Stable tandem of Lee Van Corteza and Warren Kiamco, 7-6, and pocket the JBETpoker.net Scotch Doubles All-Star Challenge crown yesterday at the Skydome of SM North Edsa in Quezon City.
The event served as the undercard of the VILLARDS Challenge of the Legend: The Maestro versus the Volcano, a one-on-one 15-ball rotation match between pool icon Efren “Bata” Reyes and fellow former double world champion Ronnie Alcano.
Gallego and Lining took home the top P160,000 prize staked in the four-team event presented by Sen.Manny Villar’s Villards: Tulong sa Pagsulong ng Philippine Sports and JBETpoker.net in cooperation with the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines and Bugsy Promotions.
The BMPAP Selection and Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) scored 2-1 wins in the elimination round to advance to the finals of the event sponsored by Camella Communities and supported by ABS-CBN, The Philippine Star, Yamaha, Tanduay and the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.
The BMPAP opened its campaign with a 5-2 win over NBS, lost to the Puyat Sports’ pair of Alex Pagulayan and Rodolfo Luat, 2-5, before subduing Bugsy Promotions’ duo of Dennis Orcollo and Gandy Valle, 5-2.
The NBS, on the other hand, bounced back from an opening loss by beating Bugsy, 5-3, and Puyat Sports, 5-1.