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Topic: INDUSTRY NEWS - October 2009

INDUSTRY NEWS - October 2009

Pro9 receives more news than we can fit on our front page, and not all news can take pride of place with our "featured article" status, and frankly some news is less relevant to the European market, so for a trial period, we will be presenting it here!

Posting in this section will be locked except for admins - if you wish to discuss the news items posted here then please start a new forum thread in an appropriate section.

Selt Excited By Hendry Clash

World No 67 Matthew Selt believes he can cause a major upset at snooker’s Grand Prix by knocking out legend Stephen Hendry in the first round.

Romford’s Selt has been in the form of his life so far this season, winning four qualifying matches to get through to the recent Roewe Shanghai Masters, then repeating that feat to get through the qualifying rounds of the Grand Prix.

His reward is a clash with seven-times World Champion Hendry at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow on Monday at 1.30pm.

“That is the perfect draw for me,” said confident 24-year-old Selt. “I want to play the best people early doors and I believe I can win the match. It's a very, very tough draw, but I enjoy a challenge. The harder the match the better, I think. The better someone plays, the better you play. If I lose I'll be very disappointed.”

Selt has experience of competing against the top stars – he is a regular practice partner of Ronnie O’Sullivan, and came up against John Higgins in the last 32 in Shanghai, losing 5-2.

“I've been playing a lot with Ronnie, who is probably the best player of all time, so to go on and play Hendry in a main event is perfect,” he added. “If I can get all these massive matches under my belt it won't do me anything but good.”

Higgins will be defending his title against the likes of O’Sullivan, Hendry, Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby in the tournament which runs from October 3 to 11.

Tickets for are still available, for details call 0871 230 1092 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/grandprix

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Pink Hits The Spot!

2 October 2009 – Snooker star Robert Milkins will be ‘pinking’ his game at the World Snooker Grand Prix in Glasgow, on Sunday 4 October, to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Care’s Pink Fridays fundraising campaign, in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.

When Robert, 55 in the pro world rankings, takes on Allister Carter (ranked number 5) on Sunday, he will be donning a tailor-made, pink waistcoat and bow tie, to encourage people nationwide to get involved in organising pink-themed fundraising activities.

Robert says: “I’m supporting the Pink Fridays campaign as our manager lost his sister to breast cancer six years ago, and it is a cause very close to our hearts. By raising awareness of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of campaigns like Pink Fridays, vital funds can be generated to support the 46,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.”

Stephen Lee (25 in the pro world rankings) and Michael Wasley (number two under 19 player in Europe) will also be wearing pink waistcoats at future tournaments to continue their wish to raise awareness for the cause.

Getting involved with Pink Fridays is easy to do and anything goes – as long as it’s pink-themed and gives you that ‘Friday feeling’! And, like Robert, you don’t have to just stick to Fridays, you can choose to give a Sunday or even a ‘blue’ Monday that Friday touch with a Pink Fridays fundraiser. With five Fridays in October, there is plenty of time to organise a fun activity at home, school or in the workplace – why not wear something pink to your morning meetings, or get your fellow sports team to wear pink kit at the next team game?

Breast Cancer Care’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Murray Lindo, said: “We are thrilled that Robert is getting pinked up at the Grand Prix to support Breast Cancer Care. All funds raised are vitally important in enabling us to provide free information and support services for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK."

Register now for a free Pink Fridays fundraising kit, full of party ideas and fundraising tips. Visit www.pinkfridays.org.uk or call 0870 164 9422.

Rileys and talkSPORT All Star Challenge

Rileys, the World’s biggest club for pool, snooker, darts and poker has teamed up with the nation’s number one sports radio station Talksport, to bring the biggest and fastest challenge to a town near you.

The Rileys All Star Challenge is a chance for pool speedsters to take on the big names at Talksport including Alan Brazil, Andy Townsend and Darren Gough.

“The Rileys All Star Challenge is all about speed and precision so it is ideally suited to my game. It takes balls to take on the clock, believe me. I do it every morning trying to get into work on time!!” Says Alan Brazil. So what’s the big deal? The Rileys All Star Challenge is all about who can clear a pool table in the fastest time. That’s all the spots and the stripes against the clock and watched by a Rileys referee.

The Rileys All Star Challenge starts on October 6th at a Rileys Club near you. The challenge will run every Tuesday and Thursday during October and the winner will be the person who has shot the fastest clearance and is at the top of the National All Star Challenge leader board. The overall winner will receive ‘The Life Of Riley’ … an all expenses paid trip for two to Las Vegas! If speedsters want to double their chance of winning big prizes, they can tune in every week to the Hawksbee and Jacobs show to play ‘The Ball breaker showdown’. Two lucky listeners will get the chance to play to win a ‘Life of Riley’ big night out up to the value of £500 and a trip to Las Vegas for two. To find out more visit www.talksport.net/rileys or tune into 1053/1089 AM.

Talksport’s very own speedster and host of the ‘Sports Bar Show’ every Saturday night is Andy Goldstein, who comments: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge, all the boys are practising. Brazil is very confident, Andy Townsend is using his nose as a rest and old Porky Parry’s arms are way to short, so we’ve had to make him a special cue! Listen to me every week and I will keep the nation in touch with who is at the top of the leader board and where the big prizes are heading”. The Rileys All Star Challenge will also take place in January. Pool Speedsters of any age can take part and can have as many attempts to beat their time as they like.

Ronnie O'Sullivan Is The New Face Of Rileys

Over the coming months you’ll be seeing a lot of the “rocket” as he takes on the role of Rileys first ever UK ambassador. “There's going to be a revolution” promises the “Rocket” and with a personality as big as his, there’s no doubt there’ll be fireworks.

Rileys and Ronnie are already preparing to light the blue touchpaper on their first big event, with the launch of a hunt for the next Ronnie O’Sullivan. Somewhere out there is another natural talent, and Rileys and the “Rocket” want to give that person their big break.

Ronnie will also work closely with Rileys to help develop the next generation of snooker clubs in the UK and advise on Rileys grass roots snooker strategy.

Commenting on the big news, Rileys Chief Executive Maurice Kelly said, "Rileys are delighted to sign as their ambassador, Ronnie O’Sullivan, the biggest snooker name in the world. Together, Rileys and Ronnie are going to put the wow factor back into the game."

Keep watching the Rileys website for further news about Ronnie’s new role at Rileys.

O’Sullivan To Face Higgins In Clash Of Snooker Titans

World No 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan and Betfred.com World Champion John Higgins will go head to head in the second round of the Grand Prix at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 2pm.

This showpiece clash is one of a number of intriguing last 16 ties which came out of the random draw made today by the Lord Provost of Glasgow.

“John and I have had some great battles over the years. He has no weak areas so I will have to raise my game,” said O’Sullivan after today’s 5-3 victory over Jamie Burnett.

Scottish snooker legend Stephen Hendry will face two-times World Champion Mark Williams on Thursday at 1pm in a battle between two good friends off the table – and bitter rivals on it.

Wednesday evening at 7pm sees resurgent Ken Doherty face former Grand Prix winner Neil Robertson, while Thursday’s 7pm session could see a battle between Ding Junhui and Stephen Maguire; if Glasgow’s Maguire can get the better of Nigel Bond tonight.

Tickets for all of the above matches are on sale now. For details call 0844 4818898 or visit www.worldsnooker.com

Full draw:
Wednesday October 7
2pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan v John Higgins
Jamie Cope v Mark Allen
7pm
Neil Robertson v Ken Doherty
Joe Perry v Barry Pinches
Thursday October 8
1pm
Mark Williams v Stephen Hendry
Peter Ebdon v Mark Davis
7pm
Stephen Maguire or Nigel Bond v Ding Junhui
Robert Milkins v Mark King or Ricky Walden

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.


Grand Prix
3-11 October
Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
Tickets now on sale
Book now: 0871 230 1092
www.worldsnooker.com/grandprix

UK Championship
5-13 December
The International Centre, Telford
Tickets now on sale
Book now: 01952 561700
www.worldsnooker.com/uk

Hendry – Come And Support Me

Seven-times World Champion Stephen Hendry is calling for snooker fans to flock to the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow tomorrow (Thursday) and give him the edge for his Grand Prix clash with Mark Williams.

Defending champion John Higgins got a rousing reception from a packed house today and went on to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-4. Auchterarder’s Hendry hopes for the same backing tomorrow, for his match against twice World Champion Williams, which starts at 1pm.

"I saw John’s match today and he had a great crowd behind him, it seemed like a fantastic atmosphere,” said legend Hendry. “It gives you a boost when you get that kind of support so hopefully I'll have the same tomorrow. Mark looked on top form in his first match so it's sure to be tough but I'll be focussed on the game and hopefully I'll play well."

Also at 1pm, another former World Champion, Peter Ebdon, takes on Mark Davis, then in the 7pm evening session Glasgow’s Stephen Maguire faces China’s Ding Junhui, while Rob Milkins and Mark King go head-to-head.

Tickets are still available, for details call 0844 481 8898 or see www.worldsnooker.com

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Allen Next For Higgins

Wizard of Wishaw John Higgins faces rising star Mark Allen in the quarter-finals at 1.30pm on Friday as he continues his quest to retain snooker’s Grand Prix title.

The random draw for the last eight was made by Scotland rugby player Alastair Kellock at the Kelvin Hall tonight, and Higgins was rewarded for his victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan with another tough tie. Ulsterman Allen will be out for revenge having lost 17-13 to Higgins in last season’s Betfred.com World Championship semi-finals.

Neil Robertson, the 2006 Grand Prix champion, faces friend and practice partner Joe Perry in tomorrow afternoon’s other match.

In the evening at 7pm, Peter Ebdon will play either Glasgow’s Stephen Maguire or China’s Ding Junhui, while two-times World Champion Mark Williams takes on Mark King or Robert Milkins.

Friday’s Quarter-final draw:

1.30pm
John Higgins v Mark Allen
Neil Robertson v Joe Perry

7pm
Peter Ebdon v Stephen Maguire or Ding Junhui
Mark Williams v Mark King or Robert Milkins

Tickets are still available, for details call 0844 481 8898 or visit www.worldsnooker.com

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Higgins And Robertson Meet In Semis

Home favourite John Higgins will attempt to strike down Thunder from Down Under Neil Robertson in snooker’s Grand Prix semi-finals at 1pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Wishaw’s Higgins boosted his hopes of retaining the title with a 5-1 thumping of Mark Allen today, while Australia’s Robertson was equally impressive in a 5-1 defeat of Joe Perry.

The second semi-final tomorrow at 7.30pm will see Mark Williams or Rob Milkins face either Peter Ebdon or Ding Junhui.

Tickets are still available, for details call 0844 481 8898 or visit www.worldsnooker.com

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

. .

BCAPL Rules and Refs – Past, Present and Future

When Mark Griffin purchased the BCA Pool League (BCAPL) in 2004, the league did not have its own rules to govern play. The former organization in charge of the league prior to Griffin’s purchase used the World Standardized Rules for both play at the National 8 Ball Championships and its referee training. Griffin believed the key to nationwide consistency and growth for the BCAPL was to have its own set of rules and a corresponding national referee training program.

Griffin assembled a team to begin writing the first-ever BCA Pool League set of rules. The team included main writer Bill Stock, now the BCAPL Director of Rules and Referees, and National Senior Referees Buddy Eick and Ken Shuman who served as technical editors. Over a year in the making, the first edition of The Official Rules of the BCAPL became effective October 1, 2007. The second edition was released June 1, 2008, and an annual updated version is scheduled to be released every June.

Since its inception, the BCAPL rule book has been extremely well-received by the BCAPL membership and received wide acclaim from many industry experts. Mike Shamos, resident rules guru for Billiards Digest, said “The 2007-2008 Official Rules of the BCA Pool League are, at 85 pages, the most extensive set of rules in history, and for the first time they are accompanied by interpretive decisions. The rules themselves and their interpretations have been given a great deal of thought, and the reasoning behind them is not hidden but is right there on the page. They’re also based on a great deal of experience with problems that surfaced in actual league situations. They don’t make the mistake of sacrificing the integrity of the game just to keep down the number of disputes that arise, which is a flaw endemic to league rules generally. I have the feeling that because of their logic the BCAPL rules just may become the dominant rules of the game.”

Once the official BCAPL rules were established the next step was the creation of the new BCAPL National Referee Training Program. Eick was appointed as Director of Training and Shuman as Referee Instructor. Eick and Shuman designed a brand new course, including formal classroom and floor training sessions, physics demonstrations, and strict testing requirements.

The success of the new training program has been unprecedented and has brought a new level of referee professionalism to the industry in the U.S. The number of prospective referee candidates in the past couple of years has grown significantly. Initially offering classes exclusively during the BCAPL National 8-Ball Championships, CueSports International, the parent company of the BCAPL, is now offering the National Referee Class at other locations across the country. The BCAPL is the only league organization to offer this program of classes in remote host locations away from their home base. The first traveling set of classes were held in Nashville, Tennessee September 2007, and have since completed classes in 4 states and added over 30 new referees.

International Bright Young Things

China's Ding Junhui thumped Mark Williams 6-1 at snooker’s Grand Prix to set up the first ranking final between two non-British players for nearly a quarter of a century.

Ding, aged 22, will battle Australia's 27-year-old Neil Robertson over 17 frames at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow tomorrow in a match which represents the growth of snooker as an international sport over the past decade. It's the first ranking final between two overseas players since Silvino Francisco beat Kirk Stevens to win the 1985 British Open.

Both Ding and Robertson will be aiming to become the most successful ever player from outside Britain and Ireland, as both of them, as well as Thailand's James Wattana, have previously won three ranking titles.

Two-times World Champion Williams started superbly tonight with a 142 total clearance, only for Ding to win the next six frames with top breaks of 103 and 85. Earlier today, Robertson edged out home favourite John Higgins 6-5 on the final black in one of the most exciting matches of recent years.

Ding described the international flavour of the final as: "Great for snooker around the world. Chinese people know more and more about snooker."

Tomorrow's final starts at 2pm, with the concluding session at 8pm.

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

FILIPINO CUE ARTISTS TRIES TO INVADE US OPEN 9-BALL ON OCT. 18

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

HALL OF FAMER Efren “Bata” Reyes will lead Filipino cue artists who will participate to the 34th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship in Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia on Oct. 18 to 24.

Reyes who just won the Galveston World Classic One Pocket title last month in Texas will be with the popular cue masters of the Philippines, Ronnie “Calamba” Alcano (Galveston World Classic 8-Ball champion) and Warren “Warrior” Kiamco (Galveston 10-Ball runner-up), Francis “Django” Bustamante, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Jose “Amang” Parica.

Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez will also vie for the US Open 9-Ball title along with Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego, Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo, Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, Santos “The Saint” Sambajon and Al Lapena.

The U.S.Open is The Longest Run and Most Prestigious 9-Ball Event in the world. The field is limited to 256 Players. Entry is $600.00, which is offers $100,000 to the champion.

IRIS RANOLA WINS AWBT TOUR STOP

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

IRIS Ranola, who hails from Divisoria, Zamboanga, continues to make her mark in the US women’s pool circuit and has just added the Arizona Women’s Billiard Tour Stop over the Labor Day weekend in the US to her string of achievements.

Ranola, bested American Susan Williams to win the title held at the Bull Shooters in Phoenix, Arizona. Ashea Erdahl and Heather Torpin, complete the final four.

Prior to her superb showing in the US Open, Ranola quickly cleaned up some regional events including the Women’s Open Predator 9-Ball Event hosted by Comet Billiards in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Last year, Ranola clawed back from two furious battles with Emily Wilmoth to win the AWBT title. Ranola won and moved into the hot seat where she was challenged by Michelle Micik. Playing some fine pool Ranola won 7-3.

Wilmoth overcame Micik 7-4 in the losers clash to forge a rematch with Ranola. Wilmoth had to win both matches in a double-elimination but Ranola wasn’t ready to give in despite Wilmoth getting to the hill first.
With the score tied at 4-4 Wilmoth took a break and then won two racks in a row to be on the threshhold of forcing a sudden-death second game. But Ranola was unfazed and strung three racks in a row for a pulsating 7-6 win.

Robertson Leaps To Third

Neil Robertson is up to third place in the latest world rankings after his landmark victory in snooker’s Grand Prix.

The Australian became the most successful player from outside Britain and Ireland in the sport’s history by beating China’s Ding Junhui 9-4 in the final in Glasgow on Sunday night. It’s his fourth ranking title, moving him ahead of Ding and Thailand’s James Wattana on the all-time list.

Robertson’s reward is a leap of three places in the rankings to third, and he does not see the top spot as out of reach. “John Higgins is long way ahead, but I will keep practising hard and give it a go. To be World No 1 is an unbelievable achievement and proves that you've been the most consistent player over two years,” said the 27-year-old from Melbourne after winning the first ranking final between two non-British players since 1985.

Ding, age 22, missed out on his fourth ranking title but still jumps five places to ninth, and it’s a welcome return to form for the Sheffield-based player who hadn’t previously reached a ranking semi-final for over three years.

Despite losing to Robertson in the semis, Higgins extends his lead over Ronnie O’Sullivan at the top of the list to over 6000 points.

Mark Williams appeared in his first ranking semi for 43 months and climbs three places to 12th.

Joe Perry and Peter Ebdon are both up five spots, to 17th and 19th respectively, having reached the quarter-finals, while Rob Milkins’ appearance in the last eight is worth a rise of 12 places to 38th.

Ken Doherty’s resurgence continues as his last 16 berth brought him up to 33rd – the Irishman has flown up 22 places this season. Mark Davis got to the same stage and rises from 36th to 32nd, as did Barry Pinches who soars up from 73rd to 56th.

Matthew Selt won four qualifying matches to reach the last 32 and he rises four places to 49th.

The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

.

BONUS BALL, A NEW BILLIARDS GAME TO BE INTRODUCED AT THE US OPEN

Winnipeg, Canada October 16, 2009:

World Wide Sport of Billiards Corporation is pleased to introduce Bonus Ball, an exciting new pool game, to a live arena audience during the U. S. Open 9-Ball Championship on Wednesday, October 2 , 7 PM – 9 PM. Bonus Ball will be the feature attraction in the Accu-Stats Arena for that 2 hour session. Pro players, representing USA, Canada, Philippines and Europe will participate in a Bonus Ball competition. The entire U.S. Open and this exciting introduction of Bonus Ball can be seen "live" online at Accu-Stats.com.

"We are very excited to launch our new game and dynamic scoreboard at Barry Behrman’s U. S. Open 9-Ball Championship, the premier 9-Ball tournament in America," states Larry Chiborak, game inventor and president of World Wide Sport of Billiards Corporation. "I have been developing this game for more than ten years and we are very confident that everyone will be equally excited to experience Bonus Ball.”

Bonus Ball will also be staged throughout the tournament week in the Rotunda for all players, spectators and media to view and to participate in playing the new game of Bonus Ball. Barry Bremner, executive vice-president of WWSB is inviting everyone to come by the Rotunda to meet and ask questions about Bonus Ball.

"Bonus Ball will really test the professional players,” says Bremner. “It combines all the skills of 9-Ball and other billiard games into one. Running the table is not very easy but doable. Bonus ball is a fun and challenging game!"

“Bonus Ball was designed especially for television and tournaments,” proclaims Bremner. “Our scoreboard is an exciting addition to the game because the players love the statistics and the live scoring. It really adds a lot of drama, tension and excitement to the game for players and the viewing audience.”

World Wide Sport of Billiards makes all this possible as major sponsor of the U. S. Open
9-Ball Championship. Stop by and see Bonus ball in action.

After November 1, visit www.playbonusball.com to learn more.

. .

October 2009 Issue of Inside POOL Magazine Available for Free Download

Billiards Beauty Borana Andoni Living the American Dream

Andoni graces the October 2009 cover of Inside POOL Magazine. The October 2009 issue of Inside POOL Magazine, which features Borana Andoni on the cover, has been made available for free download at InsidePOOLmag.com. This month the download features new technology in online billiards magazine viewing such as enhanced clarity, flipping pages, zooming, emailing, sharing, and printing.

This month features Borana Andoni living her American dream. Stephan Cohen snares the World 14.1 Straight Pool title and takes it to France. Oscar Dominguez earns his first major title at the Turning Stone Classic. Johnny Archer and Mika Immonen snap off Mezz Classic titles in Florida. Shane Van Boening takes down the Seminole Pro Tour title at Diamond Billiards in Cape Coral, Florida. Need to boost your confidence? Check out Tom Simpson's instruction article, Confidence Strokes. Get a pool trick shot lesson from the Michigan Kid. Of course, there's pool lessons from our professional staff. Get the latest billiard tour news from the regions across the U.S. and around the world. Get a rule check from head referee Ken Shuman. The industry spotlight shines on Cue and Case, Inc.

Download the October 2009 issue of Inside POOL Magazine for Free

Want the real issue? Order Borana's issue online today!

Inside POOL Magazine publishes both print and online versions of each issue. The online version is usually made available for FREE (without a membership) viewing and downloading around the middle of each month. If you would like to receive the print version of this wonderful magazine, please visit InsidePOOLmag.com to subscribe.

About Inside POOL Magazine
Inside POOL Magazine launched in 2001 and, with pool player-based content and high impact photography, quickly became the largest magazine in the world for the sport of billiards. The official web site, InsidePOOLmag.com, followed shortly after and became one of the largest web sites in billiards. The web site features videos, image galleries, pool lessons, online games, player profiles, tournament brackets, live streaming video, rules, product reviews, and the latest billiard news from around the world.

'BATA' REYES, 'MARVELOUS' MANALO LEADS RP'S CAMPAIGN IN US OPEN 9-BALL TODAY

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FILIPINO billiards masters Efren “Bata” Reyes and Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo will lead Filipino cue artists campaign when the much awaited 34th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship gets underway today, Sunday, October 18 at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Reyes who just won the Galveston World Classic One Pocket title last month in Texas and Manalo who captured the Tri State 9-ball title in New York will be with the popular cue masters of the Philippines, Ronnie “Calamba” Alcano (Galveston World Classic 8-Ball champion) and Warren “Warrior” Kiamco (Galveston 10-Ball runner-up), Francis “Django” Bustamante, Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, Dennis “Robocop” Orcollo and Jose “Amang” Parica.

Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez will also vie for the US Open 9-Ball title along with Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego, Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica, Santos “The Saint” Sambajon and Al Lapena.

The U.S.Open is The Longest Run and Most Prestigious 9-Ball Event in the world. The field is limited to 256 Players. Entry is $600.00, which is offers $100,000 to the champion.MARLON BERNARDINO

CORTEZA BEATS STRICKLAND; REMAINS UNBEATEN IN US OPEN 9-BALL

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MULTIPLE Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza shocked ex-World 9-ball king Earl “The Pearl” Strickland from the host country, 11-5, to remain unbeaten in the on-going 34th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship being held yesterday at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The Davao City ace Corteza post his fifth straight wins in this double elimination format event with the champion getting the lion share of $100,000, which attracted 256 players.

Filipino pool legend Jose” Amang” Parica failed to join Corteza in the winning column after losing to heavyweight Great Britain’s Karl Boyes, 4-11.

Parica, acknowledge the leader of Filipino Invasion in the US pool circuit in the mid 80’s needed to win his matches in the one-loss side to progress in the money round.

WPA 9-Ball and WPA 8-Ball Champion Ronato “Volcano” Alcano was booted yesterday after losing to Indon Ricky Yang, 4-11. The Calamba lanky cue artists Alcano earlier beat Robert Pole, 11-5, and Frankie Hernandez, 11-4, respectively in the loser’s side.

US based Al Lapena also was exits yesterday after bowing to Charlie Williams, 10-11. Lapena won his one-loss side match to Thomas Giddens, 11-10, before losing to Williams.

Meanwhile, the Pasil, Cebu ace Warren “Warrior” Kiamco also lost his second match to Omar Al Shaheen, 7-11. Kiamco already beat Randy Labonte, 11-4, in the loser’s side.

With the feat, Al Shaheen next opponent is Japan based Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego who lost to Jeremy Sossei, 10-11, the other day in the winner’s brackets. Gallego, who hails from Bacolod City still have a chance for the coveted title if he can win all his matches in the loser’s side.

Still in contention is Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo goes up against J. Pinegar as well Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez opposite Jason Kirkwood in the loser’s brackets.

CORTEZA BEATS MAJID IN US OPEN 9-BALL, PARICA FALLS

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

MULTIPLE Southeast Asian Games gold medallist Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza continued his winning run this time against Briton’s Imram Majid, 11-5, to fortify his title bid in the 34th Annual US Open 9-Ball Championship being held yesterday at the Chesapeake Conference Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The Davao City ace Corteza, score his six straight wins and the last Filipino standing in the winner’s brackets of this $100,000 champion’s purse 256 player’s tournament.

However, Filipino pool legend Jose “Amang” Parica suffered his second loses to former world 9-ball king Johnny “Scorpion” Archer of the USA, 11-5. With the second loses, the West Covina based Parica joined former double world champion Ronato “Volcano” Alcano, Al Lapena, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco and latest Filipino casualties Marlon “Marvelous”Manalo in the exit door.Manalo lost yesterday to Mike Dechaine, 11-6.

Two Filipino bets Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez and Ramil “Bebeng” Gallego are still fighting in the loser’s side.

FACE OFF SERIES 2 - REYES vs CHAO

Billiard Managers and Players Association of the Philippines
FaceOff 2
Club Capo
Tomas Morato
Quezon City
Philippines

28/28 October 2009

He had just proven that father time hasn’t dawned upon him – or at least he continues to defy it. His recent title conquest of the World Cup of Pool said it loud.

Now, Efren "Bata" Reyes puts his legendary status on the line once again as he takes on an old nemesis – fellow Asian great Chao Fong-Pang – in a one-on-one duel dubbed as Face Off Series 3 – The Battle of the Grandmasters slated on October 28 and 29 at the posh ClubCapo Exclusive in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

The match, a race-to-50 9-ball affair, is the Face Off Series´ and ClubCapo´s next offering the highly-successful showdown between former world no.1 Dennis Orcollo and Taiwanese "Son of Pool" Yang Ching-Shun last September 8 and 9 with the former emerging the victor via a 50-45 decision.

Reyes doesn’t need any introduction. He is simply the best player to have ever played the game.

But to the uninitiated, the 55-year-old Magician is a two-time world champion and holds countless of international and local titles.

Among his notable successes were the 1999 World Pool Championship, 1994 US Open 9-Ball Championship, 2004 World 8-Ball Championship and the IPT World Open 8-Ball Championship where he won the record-breaking $500,000, which until now was the largest prize money tournament in the history of pocket billiards.

This year, Reyes finally broke a long title-drought when he ruled The Manny Villar Cup Kadayawan leg last August in Davao City.

Then after that, he teamed up with bosom buddy Francisco "Django" Bustamante to win the World Cup of Pool for the second time last September 6.

As a player in professional pool, Reyes has been known to have won a number of money-rich tournaments worldwide. This makes him one of the most profitable players around. To prove it, he topped AZ Billiards Money List 5 times – 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and in 2006, where he set a record by earning $646K in a single year.

Like Reyes, the 42-year-old Chao is also one of the best cue artists who hailed from Asia.

In 1993, Chao became the first Asian to win a world title in pocket billiards after he ruled the WPA World 9-Ball Championship.

The Kaohsiung, Taiwan native became a two-time world champion when he won the same event in 2000, defeating Mexico's Ismael Paez in the titular match, 17-6, the largest winning margin ever made in a world championship final.

Chao, who is now residing in China, is renowned for his jump shots, relying on them considerably more frequently that most other pros. One notable instance was when he played versus Francisco Bustamante at the 2001 ICC tie-breaker, where Bustamante had made a good snooker behind a ball, leaving Chao in a difficult position. But Chao went for the jump, and made it to win the match and the title.

While a majority of Taiwanese players play with open bridge hands, Chao is among the few who play with a closed or loop bridge.

The Reyes-Chao match is part of a series of challenge matches Club Capo is putting up.

The exclusive membership club is planning to pit eight to other pairs of world-class cue artists each year.

It has also lined up a match pitting former double world champions Ronnie Alcano and Ralf Souquet of Germany .

The second edition of The Philippines versus the World will be part of the Face-Off Series.

ClubCapo Exclusive is also eyeing a match between Francisco "Django" Bustamante against American Rodney Morris and Lee Van Corteza opposite Shane van Boening in November.

Other planned matches include a rematch between 2007 World Pool Championship finalists Roberto Gomez and Darryl Peach of England; Alcano versus fellow former world champion Wu Chia-Ching of Singapore; a scotch doubles match featuring the tandem of Efren "Bata" Reyes and Bustamante against the duo of Orcollo and Alcano, as well as the pair of Bustamante and Gomez versus Johnny Archer and Van Boening, and Alcano-Johann Chua opposite Yang-Ko Pin-yi; and a duel between Reyes and Archer.

The series is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee-backed Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines headed by president Arturo “Bong” Ilagan, the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines , Puyat Sports, Negros Billiards Stable, Jaguar and Optimax.