Ilagan vies in world masters dart in England

MANILA, Philippines - Lourence “The Gunner” Ilagan, a mainstay of both soft tip and steel tip darts, will carry the country’s colors anew in the elite Winmau World Masters darts championship in Bridlington, England next week.

The world-class tournament, set Sept. 4-6, will have top-ranked players from 70 countries, including singles darts champions from over 200 top national and international events worldwide.

Ilagan, the Darts Council of the Philippines (DCP) Player of the Year for 2008, is ranked No. 2 behind last year’s Philippine Open champion Ronald Briones.

Earlier this year, Ilagan and Briones won back to back titles in Malaysia. They ruled the Victoria Dart Doubles in Labuan, beating 82 other pairs, and in Sabah. Ilagan was also a member of the overall team champion in the Malaysian Open tournament.

Ilagan, also adept in soft tip or electronic darts, was the men’s Top Gun awardee after emerging Super One champion after beating 14 other world class darters from other countries in the last Bullshooter V in Hongkong earlier this year.