Pacquiao Darts Classic under way

MANILA, Philippines - The P1 million Rep. Manny Pacquiao Darts Classic-Philippine International Darts Open and Philmasters Cup gets going today with a big field clashing for top honors and cash prizes at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The tournament, held in cooperation with the Manny Pacquiao Darters Association, has lured the leading Filipino darters and rising stars who will pit their talent and skills against at least 50 foreigners who have already confirmed their participation.

“We are expecting more than 50 foreigners with the bulk coming from Asia and Australia. This is going to be tough but I’m confident the locals wil be able to put up a good fight,” said Darts Council of the Philippines president Andee Arrieta.

The three-day event is held under the auspices of the Philippine Sports Commission and is supported by Pagcor, Toy’s Sports and Target.

“This is also Cong. Pacquiao’s way of saying Merry Christmas to the darters, he being the chairman of the DCP,” Arrieta said.

This is also the third P1-M darts tournament to be staged this year.

Aside from the rich purse, winners and top placers of the tournament will earn ranking points for the World Darts Federation (WDF).

Hostilities start with the classified doubles draw at 3 p.m. to be followed by the Philmasters women’s singles at 5 p.m.

The fixed four-man team event will be played on Saturday at 10 a.m. while the Philmasters men’s singles will begin at 5 p.m.

The PIDO women’s singles event, on the other hand, will be held Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. to be followed by the PIDO men’s singles at 12 noon.

Registraion for each event begins two hours before game time.