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Topic: Our Man in the Philippines

Billiard standout Bernie "Li'l Prince" Regalario hoping to get elusive title

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA---The quest for an elusive title continues for Bernie Regalario as he gets ready for the Indonesia International Open 2024 (9-ball competition) scheduled from January 16 to 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"I hope to perform well in the Indonesia International Open 2024, "said Regalario, one of the top players of the star-studded Marboys Billiards Club under the guidance of JR Velasco and Marvin Paringit.

Joining Regalario in the Indonesia International Open 2024 are fellow Marboys Billiards Club stablemates Johann Chua, James Aranas, Anton Raga, Jeffrey Ignacio, Kyle Amoroto, Marvin Asis and Jefrey Roda.

The Indonesia International Open 2024 will award USD25,000 to the champion and USD12,000 to the runner-up. The third and fourth placers will get USD6,000 each.

It shall be recalled that Regalario, fondly called "Li'l Prince" in the pool world, settle for runner-up place with eventual champion and countryman Carlo Biado in the 2nd Chinese Taipei Open 9-Ball Pool Championship at the Hulk Billiards Hall in Taipei City last Friday January 12, 2024.

Biado defeated Regalario in the final, 13-7, in the 96-player field tourney .
The 40-year-old racked up six straight racks in the championship round to defeat the 19-year-old Regalario and bag home a prize money of $10,000 or more than P557,000. Regalario, on the other hand, pocketed $5,000 or more than P278,000.

On the road to the finals, Biado toppled world No. 1 Franciso Sachez Ruiz of Spain in the quarterfinals, 10-5, and Chang Yu-Lung of Chinese Taipei , 11-9, in the semifinals to arrange a titular showdown with Regalario, who brought down compatriot Michael Feliciano, 10-8, and Aloysius Yapp of Singapore, 11-10, respectively.

"It has always been our dream to see an All Filipino Finals (Carlo Biado and Bernie Regalario) after all the heartbreaks from recent tournaments where Filipinos ended up losing in the finals. This time around we are very fortunate to witness an All Filipino Finale so no more heartbreaks for sure. To God be the Glory," said Marboys Billiards Club top honcho JR Velasco.

-Marlon Bernardino-


A souvenir photo with the champion Carlo Biado and the runner-up place Bernie Regalario along with other participants and supporters during the 2nd Chinese Taipei Open 9-Ball Pool Championship at the Hulk Billiards Hall in Taipei City last Friday January 12, 2024.

Jeffrey Ignacio beats Hong Kong-born Filipino Robbie Capito for Indonesia International Open 2024 10-ball title

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA---Jeffrey Ignacio defeated Hong Kong-born Filipino Robbie Capito, 10-3, Thursday, January 25 to rule the Indonesia International Open 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ignacio beat world number 1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain, 10-6, in the semifinal while Capito topped Jonas Magpantay of the Philippines, 10-7, to arrange a title showdown in the 10-ball event.

Ignacio also trounced Dimitris Loukatos of Greece, 10-3, in the Round of 16 and countryman Jeffrey Aranas, 10-7, in the quarterfinals while Capito dismantled Gebby Adi Wibawa Putra of Indonesia, 10-6, and Wu Kun-Lin of Chinese-Taipei, 10-5, respectively.

Ignacio, one of the top players of the star-studded Marboys Billiards Club under the guidance of JR Velasco and Marvin Paringit won the top prize of $25,000 for his efforts.

Capito, on the other hand, pocketed the runner-up purse of $12,000.
Magpantay and Ruiz, meantime, didn't go home empty-handed and received $6,000 for reaching the semis.

“Our sacrifices have paid off. We are able to put the Philippines in the limelight again for this worthy achievement. I would like to thank my teammate (Marboys Billiards Club),"said Ignacio.

He also expressed gratitude to JR Velasco and Marvin Paringit in inspiring them to represent our country well in international competitions.

"Maraming salamat rin Boss (JR Velasco) sa walang sawang suporta mo samen mga players Boss ng dahil sayo at sa team Marboys bumalik ulit ang sigla ko mag bilyar thank you so much Boss," Ignacio sent this message to Velasco.

Marboys Billiards Club top honcho JR Velasco was impressed."Awesome Performance!" said Velasco.

-Marlon Bernardino-


In photo L-R; Alvin Anggito aka Cool Cat (Indonesian and first international player of Marboys), Bernie "Li'l Prince" Regalario, Jefrey "Deathstroke" Roda, Jeffrey "The Cobra" Ignacio, James Aranas "Dodong Diamond" , Johann "Bad Koi" Chua and Marvin "Shadow Assassin" Asis. (Photo credit to Marboys Billiards Club).

Filipino Bernie Regalario ready for US debut

by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA---Filipino pool wizard Bernie Regalario is all geared up for his debut in the United States.

Widely acclaimed as the "Li'l Prince" in the world of pool, returns to demonstrate his skills in this epic showdown.

He will kick off his US debut in Premier Pool League with a match against 3 of the best in the world. First is 2 time World 9 Ball Champion Albin Ouschan of Austria, second is former World and US Open Champion Joshua Filler of Germany and lastly against World no. 1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain on Day 1.

"I would like to thank Matchroom Pool Managing Director Ms. Emily Frazer for inviting me to participate in this prestigious event. I would also like to thank Sir JR Velasco and Sir Marvin Paringit for supporting my dream to compete in the US pool tournament," said the 19-year-old Regalario.
" I will do my very best for the flag and country," he added.

Marboys Billiards Club CEO/President JR Velasco who accompanied Regalario in the US pool tournament had something to say to his ward.

"From humble beginnings of learning the game at the tender age of 10, to beating the great Efren Reyes when he was 14 yrs old and now to his US debut in Premier League Pool, Filipino pool champ Bernie "Li'l Prince" Regalario has gone a long way in achieving his dreams to become a professional pool player and represent his country in the sport's biggest stage. We will always be proud of this young man more popularly known as Benok in the community and now earned the moniker of Li'L Prince of Philippine Pool.," said Velasco, who joined forces with Marvin Paringit to support Regalario US debut.

The Premier League Pool (9-ball) will be held between March 18-25 from US 1 Billiards, West Haven, Connecticut, United States. With 16 of the world’s elite players contesting the exciting league format in one of America’s premier pool halls for the first time in front of live spectators.

Premier League Pool has a total prize fund of $100,000 with the champion getting the lion share of $20,000, while the runner-up earned $12,500 while losing Semi-finalists pocketed $8,000.

Other invited pool masters are 2023 US Open runner-up Fedor Gorst of the USA, Five-time US Open winner Shane Van Boeningof the USA, 2023 US Open champion Ko Ping Chung of Chinese-Taipei, 2023 Hanoi Open Pool Champion Jayson Shaw of Great Britain and Two-time World Cup of Pool Champion Mario He of Austria.

Also joining are 2023 European Open Pool Champion David Alcaide of Spain, 2023 Spanish Open Pool Champion Dang Jin Hu of China, Vietnam’s number one player Nguyen Anh Tuan, Two-time Mosconi Cup MVP Skyler Woodward of the USA, 2023 World Pool Master Ko Pin Yi of Chinese-Taipei, 23-year-old Wiktor Zielinski of Poland and Highest ranked Filipino on World Nineball Tour Michael Feliciano.

-Marlon Bernardino-


Filipino pool wizard Bernie Regalario and Marboys Billiards Club CEO/President JR Velasco visit Statue of Liberty in New York City last weekend before heading to US 1 Billiards, West Haven, Connecticut, United States.

Filipino youth master Bernie Regalario upset World no.1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain of Day 1 of the Premier League Pool

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---Filipino teenage sensation Bernie Regalario defeated World no.1 Francisco Sanchez Ruiz of Spain, 5-4, to registered biggest upset of Day 1 of the Premier League Pool (9-ball) at the US 1 Billiards, West Haven, Connecticut, United States on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Regalario, one of the star-studded player of Marboys Billiards Club, earlier loss to 2 time World 9 Ball Champion Albin Ouschan of Austria, 2-5, but come back edging former World Champion and US Open Champion Joshua Filler of Germany, 5-3, on Monday before beating Ruiz.

Regalario, the reigning 2nd Chinese Taipei Open 9 ball pool championship runner-up, will meet 2023 US Open champion Ko Ping Chung of Chinese-Taipei, 23-year-old Wiktor Zielinski of Poland and Two-time World Cup of Pool Champion Mario He of Austria in Day 2 on Wednesday.

Regalario was accompanied in the US by Marboys Billiards Club CEO and president JR Velasco, who has been supporting the careers of young Filipino pool players. Velasco joined forces with Marvin Paringit in supporting Regalario's trip in the USA.

"I work so hard to get ready for this game and I am confident I can perform well, " said Regalario, newly-member of the national team.

The Premier League Pool has a total prize fund of $100,000 with the champion getting the lion's share of $20,000. The runner-up will pocket $12,500 while the losing semifinalists get $8,000 apiece.

-Marlon Bernardino-


Filipino teenage sensation Bernie Regalario and Marboys Billiards Club CEO and president JR Velasco

Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy student bags gold in Evraa 8 Balls Category

by Marlon Bernardino

Ormoc City---Athena Divine Ig-agao, a Grade 11 student of Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy, won the gold medal in the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Meet (Evraa) 2024 Billiard Tournament on Wednesday, May 8 held at Liga Building here. The tournament featured the 8 Balls Category for Secondary Girls.

Athena defeated Irish Jean Lutao of NS, 4-2, in Game 1, Moree Hobayan of ES, 4-1, in Game 2, Ormoc vs Samar , Glena Joy Golong of Samar, 5-2, in the Quarter-Final, Karen Juaquino of Maasin, 5-3, in the Semi-Final, and Princess Ann Cruda of Baybay, 6-1, in the Final.

"At first I felt the pressure but I thought to myself, I had to go out there and be confident so I can win the gold because it’s my second time to win gold in the Evraa meet.” said the 16-year-old Athena.

Despite her success in her second stint in the conclave among top high school students, Athena is keeping her feet on the ground.

Coaches and Trainers Marife T. Taneo, Reynaldo Grandea, Ramon Mistica, Eliseo Villaflores and Rogelio Noval Jr., were also recognized for their invaluable contribution in Athena's victory. With her impressive performance, Athena secured a spot to represent Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic (Evraa) in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City.
Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez is proud of Athena's achievement and congratulates her for her hard work, dedication, and determination.

Rep. Gomez also extended its congratulations to the other student-athletes and quarter-finalists Chrisel Liston (Secondary Girls) and Janjan Lahoylahoy (Secondary Boys) who represented their school in the tournament.
City Councilor Rey Evangelista also congratulated Athena's victory in the 8-ball competition.

Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez expressed her pride and congratulated Athena and the entire team for their exemplary performance in the competition. Mayor Torres-Gomez wishes Athena all the best as she prepares to compete in the Palarong Pambansa 2024 in July.

-Marlon Bernardino-


Athena Divine Ig-agao, a Grade 11 student of Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy shows her gold medal she won in the 8-ball competition. Also in photo Coach Ramon "Maestro Monching" Mistica.

Asia Supremacy: Team Philippines Eye Strong Showing Vs Team Chinese Taipei

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---Team Philippines is determined to put on a show when it faces Team Chinese Taipei in the 2024 CPBA 9-Ball Teams Invitational dubbed as Asia Supremacy to be held on May 27, 28 and 29 at the former Park City Banquet Plaza, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Leading the Philippine charge are the best of the best, including the veterans led by Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, James Aranas, Jeffrey Ignacio and Bernie Regalario.

"We hope to do well in this event (Team Chinese Taipei in the 2024 CPBA 9-Ball Teams Invitational dubbed as Asia Supremacy)," said Biado.

Chinese Taipei will be fielding Ko Pin Yi, Ko Ping Chung, Chang Jung Lin, Chang Yu Lung and Wu Kun Lin.

Supporting Team Philippines will be JR Velasco and Marvin Paringit of Marboys Billiards.

“They’re all ready,” Velasco said.

“It’s hard but we will try our best,” added Paringit. “That’s our challenge.”
While Chinese Taipei Team will be supported by Marvin Wang and Jackie Ku of CPBA and Fullcan Sports.They will all be non playing team captains as well for their teams respectively.

The winning team gets $15,000 and the losing team will take home $7,500 in this 9-Ball Team Tournament, presented by Fullcan Sports and Marboys Billiards.

Fullcan Sports is a subsidiary of the CPBA Group, mainly responsible for hosting international billiards events and the assistance of players‘ tournaments itinerary and sports agent.

While Marboys Billiards on the other hand handles and manages the best nineball players from the Philippines. Currently they are the only team in the world nineball tour. They usually send 5-7 players regularly in major tournaments like the UK Open, World Championship among others.

Marboys Billiards cue artists are also scheduled to compete in World Pool Championship in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on June 3-8. There will be a China 9 ball tournament on June 28-July 5 in China. Then Bandung Indonesia on July 10-14. Then August for the European Open Championship and US Open.

-Marlon Bernardino-

PH pool players got problems securing Japanese visas

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---Some of the country's Filipino pool players cannot enter Japan through the regular procedures for entering the Japan Open, a traditional international billiards tournament. This was bared by Japanese Hideki Saito,a professional pool tournament promoter on Saturday who runs a billiard hall in the Philippines.

"The Japan Professional Pocket Billiards Association (JPBA) in Japan does not prepare documents that meet the requirements of Japan. Why? There is nothing I can do as a foreigner. Because all the problems are within Japan," said Saito through to his interpreter Roel Esquillo, a Filipino International Billiard Champion.

"A two-week short-term entertainment visa is fine for us. We come to Japan a few days before the Japan Open to get in shape, practice, and become champions," he added.
The Filipino pool players who is schedule to participate in the Japan Open to be held on September 14-16, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan are Antonio "Nickoy" Lining, Rodrigo "Edgie Marilao" Geronimo, Patrick Gonzales, Jayson Marabi, Romsel Aloro, John Paul Ortega, Rommel Santos and the lady pool players Denden Santos and Sofia Santos.

Esquillo, on the other hand said Japanese Masaki Okada, a regional director of JPBA who in charge promoting billiard in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba need to do action communicating the Japanese Immigration in Tokyo to secure a certificate of eligibility for the Filipino player and will sent to Japanese Embassy in Manila to secure an entertainment visa.

"Mr. Hideki Saito transferred 44,000 yen and 88,000 yen for each player to the JPBA Kanto Branch account and received an invitation letter," said Esquillo, who won numerous billiard tournaments in Japan.

" However, we need an entertainment visa. The organizer of Japan Open, Japanese Masaki Okada, needed to help us but he didnt action on this matter," said Esquillo.

"If this matter is not resolved, it will happen again in future tournaments like the All Japan Championships," he added.

Saito and Esquillo are scheduled to visit the Games and Amusements Board office in Makati on Monday.

It shall be recalled that Filipino Dennis Orcollo settled for second to eventual champion Japanese Tomoya Lima in the 2023 Japan Open.
Orcollo was down 7-2 but managed to stage a comeback; however, he came up short. The final score was 8-6 in favor of Lima.

Prior to this match, there were 15 Japanese and 15 Filipinos who had won the Japan Open. Lima became the 16th Japanese to win this Open, breaking the deadlock with the Philippines.-Marlon Bernardino-

Country's pool sharks feature in today's SBA Draft Pick Sunday

by Marlon Bernardino

The country's pool sharks are featured in the historic Draft Pick of the world's first professional billiards league, the Sharks Billiards Association (SBA), which is gets underway at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City in Cubao Quezon City, today, Sunday, August 18 , 2024.

"Get ready to witness the excitement as we reveal the top players who will be joining the league", said event organizer Founder/COO Hadley Mariano.

According to young Mariano, the purpose of the said billiards league is to extend the discovery of male/female talents in the country and to give opportunities to seasoned billiard players in the country who are also supported by sportsman/businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano who is recognized as the God Father of Philippine Billiards.

-Marlon Bernardino-


Pictured are sports journalist/radio commentator Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Philippine Sports Expo President/CEO Michael Herrera and Sharks Billiard League Top Honcho Hadley Mariano -Marlon Bernardino-

Jericho Banares picked first, Rodrigo Geronimo taken second in pro billiard draft

by Marlon Bernardino

Quezon City---Jericho Banares, as expected, was drafted first in the inaugural Sharks Billiard Association (SBA) Player's Draft at the Quantum Skyview of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City in Cubao Quezon City on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

Banares was picked first by the Quezon City Dragons.
" I felt very honoured to be included in the team." said Banares, who settled for silver in the 2008 Reno, Nevada World Junior Pool Championship after bowing to defending champion Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei in the finals.

Rodrigo Geronimo was selected second by Taguig Stallions, Oliver Villafuerte was drafted third overall by Negros Pillar, while Baseth Mapandi is the fourth overall draft pick, joining the Manila MSW Mavericks in the 4-team field that will hold their first-ever conference set on September 12 at the famous Sharks Billiard Hall in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

"Its mission is to "give millions of Filipino billiard enthusiasts the opportunity to hone and showcase their skills, and promote the love of the game -- by ensuring integrity and fairness for professional billiards in the Philippines." said event organizer Founder/COO Hadley Mariano.

Other members of the Quezon City Dragons are Alexis Ferrer, Denmark Castronuevo, John Paul Ladao and John Rebong, Taguig Stallions will have a formidable line up that includes Demosthenes Pulpul, Bryant Saguiped, Marc Ejay Cunanan and Michael Quinay, Negros Pillar spearheaded by Albert Espinola, Jonald Galve, Jolo Aspuria and Mark Ryan Hidalgo, while Manila MSW Mavericks is composed of Jonas Magpantay, John Albert Refulle, Drahcir Mauricio and Tristan Deocareza.

Witnessing the historic event led by Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera Jr., Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) Chairman Aurelio "Reli" De Leon, GOAT Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante, Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo, Jeffrey "The Bull" De Luna, Antonio "Nikoy" Lining, Warren "Warrior" Kiamco, Sportsman/Businessman Ceferino "Perry" Mariano and Mam Verna Mariano, among others.

-Marlon Bernardino-