Site News
Topic: *Industry News* May 2010

INDUSTRY NEWS - May 2010

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.

WPBSA Statement

In relation to recent newspaper reports Barry Hearn, the WPBSA Chairman has released the following statement:

Pat Mooney has resigned from the WPBSA Board and his resignation has been accepted, with immediate effect.

John Higgins has been suspended from future WPBSA tournaments, pending an immediate enquiry.

The WPBSA enquiry will be headed by David Douglas and will be carried out with the utmost urgency. There is a process to follow in accordance with WPBSA rules, this process has been initiated. This matter has brought the very fabric of the game into question and the strongest possible message needs to be sent out that this behaviour has no part to play in our game and will not be tolerated. Any wrong doing will be severely dealt with.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS SENIORS 2010

The European Championships for seniors takes place in Leende Netherlands between 7th-15th August 2010. Disciplines are 14/1, 10-ball, 8-ball, 9-ball and teams.

Hotel Prices are as follows;

Single = 87.50 Euros, Double = 110 Euros, Treble = 140 Euros inc breakfast and city tax and is paid on arrival.

Each Discipline is 110 Euros entry fee and is paid after confirmation of spots requested has been received but not later than 30th June.

Nearest airport is Eindhoven, Amsterdam is 1.45h by train.
The required age for the seniors means that you must be born before 01.01.1971.

Priority on selection will be taken from the GB9 rankings as of today in case of allocation and selection of disciplines. i.e. highest ranked player has choice of disciplines. Each player must be a member of the GBPA to be eligible to participate.

If you are interested then please contact me. davidmorris13@hotmail.com

Deadline for announcements is the 26th May.

David Morris
GBPA

Robertson On A High

Neil Robertson is up to second place in the latest world rankings following his victory in the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.

The first Australian to collect the biggest title in the game beat Graeme Dott 18-13 in the final at the Crucible tonight (Monday) to win his 5th ranking title and first ever World title.

The 28-year-old moved up seven places to second in the official rankings.

“If you look at performances over the past two years, John Higgins has earnt the most points. So he is number one.

“Obviously being number one would be fantastic, Of course you would rather be number one on your own merits,” said Robertson, who has now won five ranking events and the only player to have won a ranking event in each of the last four seasons.

Dott missed out on his third ranking title and first of the season, and climbs back into the Top 16 after a season in the qualifiers. He is up to no.13 having begun the season at 28.

Ali Carter made the semi-finals and finishes fourth, his highest ranking. Mark Selby also lost in the semis and he falls two places to ninth.

Liang Wenbo, the Shanghai Masters runner-up climbs into the Top 16 for the first time in his career, jumping 11 places to no.16.

Zhang Anda who won four matches to qualify for the venue for the first finishes in 71st place in his debut season. Tom Ford, who also made it to the venue or the first time in his career after three wins, jumps eight places to no. 41.

Extended Deadline for 2010 BCA Expo Registration
-- BCA Members Receive Free Admission through June 1 --

Broomfield, Colorado - May 4, 2010 - The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) today announced it has extended the deadline for free BCA member registration for the 2010 International Billiard & Home Recreation Expo (BCA Expo) to June 1, 2010. This year's BCA Expo will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Wednesday, July 14 through Friday, July 16.

With the intent of maximizing savings for industry retailers and room operators faced with economic adversity, the new registration deadline also extends to non-member pricing. As such, non-member registration will remain at $25 through June 1, 2010.

The BCA also recently announced reduced hotel rates at the Las Vegas Hilton, the official BCA Expo hotel. Room rates now begin at $69 per night from July 7 - 12 and are as low as $89 per night beginning July 13. With a recent $100 million redesign, the Las Vegas Hilton enables easy access to the 2010 Expo without the cost of taxis, parking or monorail tickets.

In addition, the BCA has worked with the Las Vegas Hilton to create additional savings for BCA Expo attendees. Upon check-in, BCA Expo Hilton guests will also receive discounts valued at over $150 for restaurants, entertainment and casino activities which can help ease the incidental costs of business travel.

"The BCA is committed to supporting the industry in reducing costs and increasing value for the 2010 BCA Expo," said BCA Chairman Ivan Lee. "With more space already contracted for 2010 than last year's total, this year's event promises to reflect positive momentum for the industry for this first time in many years. We've also contracted nearly 20 new exhibitors that will offer new and diverse products to our Expo participants."

IBSF renews link with Strachan

The International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) has signed a new agreement with UK billiard cloth manufacturer Milliken.

It will mean Milliken continuing to supply the IBSF and over 70 member countries around the world with Strachan Tournament, the high quality billiard cloth manufactured in Gloucestershire.

The governing body for non-professional snooker and billiards, IBSF former amateur champions include Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and Marco Fu and former under 21 title holders include Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ding Jun Hui.

The new agreement means that Milliken will continue to play a leading role in both the amateur and professional game – being the exclusive supplier of cloth for all World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association events.

“The Strachan brand is increasingly chosen by tournament organisers,” said Duncan Kettell (pictured) the company’s marketing director.

“High quality cloth is essential if young players are to develop their skills and we are delighted that Strachan Tournament continues to have an impact on the international stage.”

GBE2010 had 446 booths—Rapid Increase!
        
4th China GuangZhou International Billiards Exhibition (GBE2010) had 446 booths!! It’s a very large number. It’s said that the number is the largest one in billiards industry.

The GBE 2010 number is three times as large as GBE2009, only 167 booths of GBE2009. The increasing speed can surprise everyone.

GBE Organizing Committee says thanks to all the exhibitors and visitors, especially showing their appreciation to the famous domestic brands, including XINGWEI, Ya Lin, SHENDER, Rasson, etc and international brands, Brunswick WIRAKA, PALKO, Ball Teck STRACHAN 6811TM and so on.

At the same time, they thanks all the associations and media from the bottom of their heart, including APBU, CPBA, WPA, EPBF, ECP, NBA and other 10 associations.

The attendance and billiards performances of many famous billiard players both from home and abroad have been one of the highlights of GBE2010, including Karen Corr, Kelly Fisher, Xiaoting Pan, Fu Xiaofang, Liu Shasha, Yang Ching-Shun, Shu-Han Chang, Liang Wenbo etc. have drew forth enthusiastic applause from the audience by their splendid performance.

We expect more highlights of the coming exhibition in 2011!

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF GRAEME DOTT

Further to the press reports last week involving Mr Pat Mooney, I have terminated my representation contract with Pat Mooney and FSTC Management with immediate effect. I will have no further dealings with either of these parties.

Date: Friday, 7 May 2010

‘BATA’ STUNS ‘MIKA’ PACES RP ROMP IN US 10-BALL TOURNEY
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

HALL OF FAMER Efren “Bata” Reyes made quick work of 2-time US Open Champion and 2009 Player of the Year Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland, 9-1, Saturday (Manila Times) to lead the march of Filipino bets in the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the legendary Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA.

The 1999 WPA World 9-Ball Champion and 2005 WPA World 8-Ball Champion Reyes, the prize fighter of sportsman/ businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat won his first match against Melinda Huang, 9-5.

Immonen, on the other hand is the reigning World Ten-Ball Champion.

“It’s a good start, we expect our top players, led by Efren (Reyes) and Lee Vann (Corteza), to play well in the US 10-ball tournament,” said RP billiards God Father Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

2009 World Ten-Ball Finalist Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, 2007 World 9-Ball Finalist Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, Japan Champion Warren “Warrior” Kiamco and veteran campaigner Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica also scored impressive victories.

Corteza, the top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable blanked Steve Chaplin, 9-0, and routed Ismael Paez, 9-1.

Gomez, playing under the banner of Perry Mariano’s Bugsy Promotions clobbered Ezekiel Morrison, 9-4, Kiamco from Negros Billiards Stable nipped Marcos Rodriguez, 9-5, while Mistica, who is best to remember by beating Filipino pool legend Jose “Amang” Parica in the mid 80’s dealt Chris Tate, 9-2, and Abe Lim, 9-2, respectively.

Poison Billiards Becomes Title Sponsor of 9-Ball Tour for Professional and Amateur Pool Players

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. (May 7, 2010) – Starting with the next stop on the Florida tour, Poison Billiards is the title sponsor of the highly successful 9-Ball tour managed by top professional player Tony Crosby. The tour, which has run continuously since September 2008, brings professional and amateur pool players together, and averages 20 stops throughout Florida annually.

“This 9-Ball tour has been successful since its inception because it uniquely blends both amateur and professional players, encourages interaction, and creates a great playing experience,” said Karim Belhaj, president and CEO of Predator Group. “Poison Billiards is a perfect sponsor for this tour as we have as our key objective to bring players of all levels together and to offer great products to all players that helps them pocket more balls.”

Each two-day event on the Poison 9-Ball Tour takes place on a weekend with an average of 100 players participating. Registration fees range from $15 to $90, and every winner receives prize money and a trophy. Interested players can register for each event online at www.uspoisontour.com, or on site at 11 a.m. prior to the start of the event.

The next three stops on the Poison 9-Ball Tour are:

Orlando (May 8-9)
Corner Pockets at 9318 East Colonial Drive

Palm Harbor (May 22-23)
Strokers Billiards at 30901 U.S. Highway 19

Daytona Beach (June 5-6)
Uncle Waldo’s Billiards at 2454 South Nova Road

ABOUT POISON BILLIARDS
Poison Billiards, an international billiards industry leader, is a high-performance recreation pool cue producer focused on bringing cutting-edge designs, with Predator brand engineering for best-in-class playability, to billiards players worldwide. Headquartered in Jacksonville, nothing., USA, Poison Billiards is a division of Predator Group whose core brands also include Predator Cues and Uni-LocÒ. For more information regarding Predator Group’s products, visit www.predatorgroup.com. For information on Poison Billiards visit www.poisonbilliards.com , or look for Poison Billiards on Facebook and Twitter.

Predator Pros Dominate 2010 World Competitions

JACKSONVILLE, nothing. (April 27, 2010) – Predator Cues congratulates its professional billiards players who have been at the “top of their games” so far in 2010.

Predator’s Yu Ram Cha of Korea kicked off the winning streak in Taiwan with an undefeated run to win the 2010 Amway WPA Women’s World 9-Ball Open on March 7.

Then, for the first time, all competing Predator players won Gold medals at the European Championship held in Zagreb , Croatia from March 18-27, 2010. As well, Predator’s Jasmin Ouschan made history by winning Gold medals in all four women’s disciplines – 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball and straight pool; never before has a female player won more than two Gold medals at the European Championships.

Predator Gold medal winners at the 2010 European Pool Championships include:

Men’s 8-ball – Konstantin Stepanov* ( Russia )
Men’s 9-ball – Ralf Souquet ( Germany )
Men’s 10-ball – Ralf Souquet ( Germany )

Women’s 8-ball – Jasmin Ouschan ( Austria )
Women’s 9-ball – Jasmin Ouschan ( Austria )
Women’s 10-ball – Jasmin Ouschan ( Austria )
Women’s Straight Pool – Jasmin Ouschan ( Austria )

Wheelchair 8-ball – Kurt Deklerck ( Belgium )

Straight Pool – David Alcaide ( Spain )

Most recently, Predator Pro Karl Boyes became the World 8-Ball Champion after beating Predator’s Niels Feijen in a 13-12 win at the 2010 WPA World 8-Ball Championship held in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates on April 10.

“Predator Cues is proud to be aligned with such a wealth of talent in the billiard industry,” said Karim Belhaj, president and CEO of Predator Group. “We congratulate all of the Predator professional players on their accomplishments so far this year and look forward to celebrating many more wins in the months to come.”

STAR TIGER CUP 10-BALLS TOURNEY ON
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

THE Star Tiger Cup 2010 10-balls tournament continues with the staging for the month of June on May 31 to June 6 at the famous Star Billiards Center, no.46 Joy Street, Grace Village, Quezon City.

The tournament is open to all billiard enthusiasts from Class A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D and D-with handicapping in the event hosted by long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua, president of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).

The champion will bring home the top prize of P25,000, or Maxima 2 Billiard table worth P30,000, the runner-up will get P10,000 or Lucasi/Universal Cue worth P12,000, the third and fourth placer will receive P5,000 each or Predator Class B shaft (5/16 x18 ) and Star Cue, the fifth to 8th placer will receive P2,000 each of Universal Cue Case worth P3,000.

The top four finishers each month are automatically seeded in the Challenge of Champion Finale on December 18 with the grand champion will receive P50,000.

For inquires, call Michael Tan at (0922) 872-9922, (0909) 2222225; Joyren at (0922) 856-9736 and Anthony (0922) 864-2249.

CORTEZA STREAK CONTINUES; BATA, MISTICA OUSTED IN US 10-BALL TOUR
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

REIGNING NATIONAL champion Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza continued his winning ways to keep the Philippine flag high, however compatriot hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes and veteran campaigner Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica bowed out yesterday in the ongoing 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA.

The Davao City native Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) smashed American Corey Harper, 9-1, to remain unbeaten in the true double elimination, winner’s break format.

“Talagang hindi ko binigyan ng pagkakataon si Corey (Harper) at buwenas din kasi laging pumapabor ang bola sa akin,” said Corteza to his long-time benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, the president of the rising Negros Billiards Stable (NBS).

“I hope mahawakan ni Van-Van (Lee Vann Corteza) ang kanyang momentum,” said sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, also co-founder of Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP).

Corteza, who took a bye in the first round subdued Steve Chaplin, 9-0,

Ismael Paez,, 9-1, and Stevie Moore, 9-1, respectively.

Meanwhile, Reyes and Mistica suffered the biggest setbacks of the day and failed to advance in the next round in the loser’s brackets.

Reyes was ousted by compatriot Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, 9-6, a multiple Southeast Asian Games gold medalist from Pasil, Cebu while Mistica, who is best to remember by beating Filipino pool legend Jose “Amang” Parica in the mid 80’s suffered a 9-8 beating against Ed Mataya.

The 1999 WPA World 9-Ball Champion and 2005 WPA World 8-Ball Champion Reyes, the prize fighter of sportsman/ businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat also bye in the first round, then demolished Melinda Huang, 9-5, 2-time US Open Champion and 2009 Player of the Year Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland, 9-1, before losing to American Rodney “Rocket” Morris, 9-6, in the winner’s side.

Reyes, from Angeles, Pampanga suffered his second loses to Kiamco, 9-6, in their do-or die match in the one-loss side.

Mistica, on the other hand scored back-to-back victories over Chris Tate, 9-2, and Abe Lim, 9-2, before losing to Harper, 9-8, in the winner’s side. Mistica, a resident of Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City came back by beating Ronnie Wiseman of the US, 9-8, Marcus Chamat of Sweden, 9-4, but yielded to Mataya, 9-8.

Kiamco, also from NBS, also bye in the first round then beat Marcos Rodriguez, 9-5, but lost to Dave Grau, 9-6, but keeping alive in the loser’s brackets by beating Al Garcia, James Burt and Reyes, respectively.

2007 World Pool Finalist Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, meanwhile succumbed to Morris, 9-1, forcing him relegated in the loser’s brackets.

Morris, tormentor of Reyes in the winner’s side, didn’t give any chances Gomez, playing under the banner of Perry Mariano’s Bugsy Promotions.

Other Filipino campaigners here were LA sports columnist Ambrosio “Jun” Almoite, George Pagulayan and Jaynard Orque.


Lee Van Corteza and Ramon Mistica (Photo courtesy Marlon Bernardino).

CORTEZA BEATS MORRIS; WINS US 10-BALL TOUR; POCKETS $4,000
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FILIPINO Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza defeated American Rodney “Rocket” Morris, bagging the top prize of 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA, on Monday (Late Sunday in US Time).

The Davao City Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy's Negros Billiards Stable, beat Morris, 11-7, in their rematch on the final to capture the top prize of $4,000 after clinching his first major title this year.

Actually, Corteza raced to a 8-4 commanding lead and never looked back.

" I would like to thank Sir Jo (Jonathan Sy) who always helping me in my local and international campaign,” said Corteza, who lost to Mika “The Iceman” Immonen of Finland for the WPA World Ten-Ball tiara in Manila last November

En route to the race-to-11, winner’s break final, Corteza, the reigning national open champion beat another American hopeful Max “Mad Max” Eberle, 9-7.

“Once again, congratulations Van-Van (Corteza). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph,” long-time benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, the president of the rising Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) said of the top player of NBS.

Other Filipinos who joined the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open were hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, 2007 World Pool Finalist Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, Japan Champion Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, veteran campaigner Ramon “Maestro Monching”Mistica, LA sports columnist Ambrosio “Jun” Almoite, George Pagulayan and Jaynard Orque.

Corteza needed to go through the grueling one-loss side.

After getting a bye in the first round, Corteza defeated Steve Chaplin, (9-0) , Ismael Paez (9-1), Stevie Moore , (9 – 1), and Corey Harper, (9 – 1).

He lost to Morris, (9-8 ), in the sixth round of winner’s side bracket.

Then he came back by beating Kiamco, ( 9 – 7), Oscar Dominguez , (9 – 5), and Max Eberle ,( 9 -7), to arrange a titular rematch showdown with Morris.

The Filipino pool sharks are schedule to play in the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters on May 12 to 16 and the inaugural United States Open 10-Ball Championships on May 17 to 22, both will be held at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

Sandor Tot wins Timisoara Open

Hello all,

Sandor Tot won Timisoara Open and the prize of 1200 Euro !!! He defeated 9-8 his country man Goran Mladenovic.
3rd-4th place - Cristea Ovidiu and Melkonyan Babken

Enjoy pool,
Iulian
http://bilebile.blogspot.com/
http://biliardforum.ro/index.php

TOP RP BETS SEEK GLORY; CORTEZA EYES ANOTHER US BILLIARDS TITLE
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

A dozen of Filipino cue artists, led by reigning national open champion Lee Vann “The Slayer” Corteza, will see action in the 2010 Party Poker World Pool Masters on May 12 to 16 and the inaugural United States Open 10-Ball Championships on May 17 to 22, both will be held at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United Sates.

“I hope to do well in the Las Vegas events,” said Corteza.

Joining Corteza are former world champions---Efren “Bata” Reyes, Ronato “Volcano” Alcano and Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan---heavy weights Jose “Amang” Parica, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Dennis “Robocop” Orcullo, Marlon “Marvelous” Manalo, Roberto “Pinoy Superman” Gomez, Warren “Warrior” Kiamco, Santos "The Saint" Sambajon and Ramon “Maestro Monching”Mistica, among others.

The Davao City native Corteza, top player of Jonathan Sy’s Negros Billiards Stable is fresh from winning the 1st Annual Hard Times-Mezz Cues 10-Ball Open at the Hard Times Billiards in Bellflower, Los Angeles California, USA, last Monday.

Corteza turned back American Rodney “Rocket” Morris, 11-7, in the finals enroute the top prize of $4,000.

“I think both players have a great chance to win considering their domination in the past international event,” said long-time benefactor sportsman/ businessman Jonathan Sy, the president of the rising Negros Billiards Stable (NBS) to the Pinoy cue artists.

MORA BEATS FLORES; TOPS STAR TIGER CUP 10-BALL TOURNEY
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

LITTLE-KNOWN Lee Gabriel Mora edged Bob Flores, 9-8, in the finals to rule the May edition of Star Tiger Cup 10-ball tournament was held at the Star Billiards Center in no.46 Joy. Street in Grace Village, Quezon City, on Monday.

With the feat, Mora received the top prize of P25,000 plus Universal Cue Case worth P3,000 in the one-day event hosted by long-time billiards patron Sebastian “Baste” Chua, also the president of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).

Flores, meanwhile went home runner-up prize of P10,000.

Enly Santiano and Hushley Jusayan filled up the top four spots for P5,000 each.

Fifth to 8th placers for P2,000 each were Judi Villanueva, Ian Fabian, Carlos Policarpio and Richard Yangao.

The May edition of Star Tiger Cup was participated by a total of 378 players.

2011 Billiards, the Official Rules and Records Book

Now Available!

2011 Rule BookHot off the Press!

The new edition of the Billiards: Official Rules & Records Book is available to the public. A must-have resource for the billiard industry, the 2011 BCA Official Rules & Records Book contains the current World-Standardized Rules for 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 14.1, One Pocket and many other popular games.

In addition, the book includes: fully illustrated schematics, diagrams and sketches; a brief history of the game; the entire BCA Hall of Fame biographies; tournament results and records; and instructional tips.

The record book section of the publication grows to include the champions named from a wide range of major events. You'll enjoy learning the results from all the major billiard events.

Copies of the rule book can be purchased online via the BCA Store at bcastore.com. Or, orders can be placed by contacting the BCA at 303.243.5070.

Volume discounts are available for BCA members.

RAJ IS READY FOR THE MASTERS AND IS HUNGRY FOR MORE SUCCESS

The race to Vegas is one of the biggest events in the pool calendar with 64 of the world's top players from 25 different nations competing for the coveted title of being the World Pool Masters Champion. The 2010 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters will take place from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

A run to the last 16 of the 2005 World Pool Championships saw Raj given a spot into his first World Pool Masters in 2005. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he recovered from 7-1 down to win a memorable final against American Rodney Morris. Raj is back in the Masters again and is still hungry for more success.

Back from a win a title defence at the InterPool Open, Raj is more confident than ever. “Recently I have played pool in events and matches and have practiced and trained as hard as I did when I was coming up in the game. I have always had a good run at the Masters and other big events and aim to win this again. This will be the toughest Masters ever to win and personally feel it will be a tougher field to beat than the one at the World Pool Championship, but I like that challenge. It is the challenge and my fans that keep competing at this high level.”

www.rajhundal.com             


“Rocket” Rodney Morris congratulates Raj “The Hitman” Hundal after the final of the 2005 Masters

“DJANGO” BUSTAMANTE BEATS “SCORPION” ARCHER RULES WPBL IN WINNIPEG
BY: MARLON BERNARDINO

FORMER WORLD NO.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante lived up to his top billing to clinch the inaugural event of the World Professional Billiard League dubbed as Super Series of Billiards at the Mc Phillips Station Casino in Winnipeg, Canada, over the weekend.

Bustamante, one of the top players of sportsman/ businessman Aristeo “Putch” Puyat defeated American Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer, 5-2, in the finals.

Other invited players in the round-robin format were Nick Varner, Shane Van Boening, Corey Deuel and Charlie Williams and John Schmidt of the United States and Erik Hjorleifson of Canada.

The format of the league was set up so each player of the World Professional Billiard League (WPBL) played the exact same amount of games as each other player, in the round robin event. The top four players played races after the round robin. After the super series was over, each player was awarded points that they would carry forward through the season. Bustamante tallied a total 60 points.

“Magandang balita ito sa Philippine Billiards. Ang pagkapanalo ni Lee Vann (Corteza) sa Los Angeles at pagkapanalo naman ni Django (Bustamante) sa Canada. Hope maganda ang magiging resulta ng ating top Filipino pool players sa Las Vegas events this weekend,” said RP billiards God Father Aristeo “Putch” Puyat.

It was a third major title of Bustamante early this year. Bustamante, is member of the winning Team Asia who routed the Team Europe last January 17 in Brunei dubbed as Asia vs Europe Challenge Match.

Other members of Team Asia were hall of famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, Hui Chan Lu and Ko Pin-yi of Taiwan and Teo Che Soon of Brunei. Each of them received $5,400 for their effort.

Last March 21, Bustamante defeated Puyat Sports stablemate Reyes for the crown of the 23rd Annual Japan Open - Open Division in Tokyo Japan enroute the top prize of $16,000.