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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