Pinoy aces boycott US Open 9-Ball

Manila, Philippines - The Association of Billiard Professionals, composed of the world’s leading players, including Filipino aces Dennis Orcollo, Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante, Mika Immonen and Johnny Archer, will skip this year’s US Open 9-Ball Championship with no guaranteed prize money in place for the event slated Oct. 16-22.

The group will also boycott the Masters 10-Ball Championship or any event promoted by Barry Behrman.

“It is with regret that the general professional body of the ABP will not be attending the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship promoted by Mr. Barry Behrman. Nor will these ABP pros attend the Masters 10-Ball or any event promoted by Mr. Behrman because of moneys owed to players and lack of secure funds of prize money before each of his events,” said the ABP in a statement.

It added: “One of the goals of the ABP is to provide a platform where touring professionals can pursue the sport they love as a full time career and achieve reasonable financial success. To that end discussions have been ongoing since last year with representatives of the US Open and representatives of the ABP.

“But repeated attempts by the ABP to obtain guarantees that the prize money will be in place have been refused and therefore it is with regret that the association and its members have decided to neither support nor attend the 2011 US Open 9-Ball Championship.”

The ABP added that notwithstanding the group’s deep respect for (Barry) Behrman for his contribution to pool, the players simply cannot commit their time and their expenses for an uncertain payday.

“As a former US Open 9-Ball champion, it’s painful to not be able to attend this year, as it is always great to play in it. However, the ABP and its goals are more important than my personal goals, and we need to start taking the necessary steps to pave the way for the future of the game and its up and coming stars,” said Rodney Morris of the US, a member of the ABP board.

“It is with sadness that I must withdraw from one of my favorite tournaments ever. In doing so, I hope the sacrifices we are making raise the standard of the elements that our beautiful sport lacks. The ABP’s goals are to the benefit of the sport and to restore the confidence of cooperation between players, associations and promoters alike. I stand behind this vision fully,” said former two-time US Open 9-Ball champion Mika Immonen.

“The US Open is the greatest and most prestigious event on American soil. I am truly sorry we cannot attend this event. But we have an obligation to protect all players now and in the future. I am hopeful in the future all things will be worked out so all players can participate in all great and safe tournaments,” said ABP president Johnny Archer.

The other ABP members are Darren Appleton, Raj Hundal, Karl Boyes, Tony Crosby and Imran Majid of England, Americans Shane Van Boening, John Schmidt, Corey Deuel, Mike Sigel, Buddy Hall, Shawn Putnam, Mike Davis, Stevie Moore, Oscar Dominguez, Charlie Williams, Dennis Hatch, Jeremy Jones, Allen Hopkins, Scott Frost, Kim Davenport, Rob Saez, Art Wiggins, Tommy Najar and CJ Wiley, Fil-Canadian Alex Pagulayan, Germany’s Thorsten Hohmann, Huidji See of the Netherlands, Malta’s Tony Drago, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, Filipinos Lee Van Corteza, Roberto Gomez, Carlo Biado, Warren Kiamco, Antonio Lining and Jundel Mazon and Ernesto Dominguez of Mexico.