Bugsy boys dominate BSCP 8-ball ranking tour


Roberto Gomez

The Bugsy boys enhanced their billing as the best bunch of guys in the Filipino billiards industry with another dominating performance in the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) 8-Ball Ranking Tour Tuesday at the Side Pocket Pool Hall.

Recent World Pool Championship finalist Roberto Gomez toppled fellow Bugsy Promotions standout Joven Bustamante, 7-5, to lead three others in the main draw slated on Nov. 30 in Lucena City.

Showing no signs of slowing down after his most impressive feat in his young career, Gomez played error-free down the stretch to hold off the spirited charge of Bustamante, a quarterfinalist in the WPC this year.

“You can't afford to make even a few mistakes against Joven,” said Gomez.
“Fortunately I got good lay outs after my breaks.”

Bustamante was a semifinalist in this year's World 8-Ball Championship, a tournament ruled by Ronnie Alcano.

Jeffrey De Luna and Dennis Orcollo, two of the most feared money game players in the world and also members of the powerhouse pool stable managed by Perry Mariano, joined their compatriot in the finals with similar convincing victories.
De Luna downed Mark Malayan, 7-4, while Orcollo routed Rene Cruz, 7-3.
Steve Villamil was the lone none Bugsy player to survive after edging Elmer Haya, 7-6.

Antonio Gabica, also of Bugsy and gold medalist in last year's Asian Games, ruled the first leg of the tour supported by the San Miguel Corporation and organized by the BSCP with the help of local government units.

The top 32 players in the ranking will play in the finals slated quarterly.
Meanwhile, the San Miguel Corporation Beauty and the Best Mixed Doubles event unfolds on Saturday at Gerry's Grill in Subic.

The top players of the Bugsy Promotions including Gomez and double world champion Ronnie Alcano will take part in the exhibition tournament. They will be paired with gorgeous models who can play a mean game of pool.