Cebuano Antonio Gabica Sets His Eyes On Puerto Princesa Cup

AFTER a magnificent performance in the inaugural Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup, Cebuano ace Antonio "Ga-Ga" Gabica is setting his eyes on the second leg of Philippine Pool Tour dubbed as the Puerto Princesa Cup set on June 21 to 24 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum in Palawan.

The Lapu-Lapu City pride, Gabica emerged champion in the inaugural Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup by beating local bet Marlon "Marvelous" Manalo, 13-8, in the finals to pocket the top prize of $10,000 and a slot for this year's World Ten Ball event.

"I hope my winning ways will continue in Puerto Princesa Cup," said Gabica, who needed to beat two former world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes in the semis and Ronato "Volcano" Alcano in the finals to pocket the title of 2007 SMB-Solar Philippine 9-Ball Open.

"But I expect a tough fight," said the 2006 Doha Qatar Asian Games 9-Ball Gold Medallist; referring to the entries of Manalo, 2007 Manny Pacquiao International 9-Ball Open Jeffrey "The Bull" De Luna, snooker specialists James Al Ortega and Luis Saberdo, veteran campaigner Leonardo "Dodong Dadiangas" Andam and Edgar "Malabon" Acaba, Elmer "Buddy" Kalaquian, Leonardo Didal, Elvis Calasang and reigning Philippine Junior Champion Jericho Bañares, who ousted former WPA World 9-Ball ruler Thorsten "The Hitman" Hohmann of Germany in the semi-final round of Mandaluyong Mayor's Cup.

With Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn as host and San Miguel Beer as presenting sponsor, the Puerto Princesa Cup carries a prize fund of $30,000, with $10,000 going to the champion. Prizes will be given up to 32nd place in the tournament.

The tournament will be broadcast live nationally on Studio 23 by ABS, and internationally by the Filipino Channel. Media partner is TUMBOK.

Entry fee to the Puerto Princesa Cup is set at $50 or P2100. Players with a Philippine Pool Tour Card get a 50% discount on the entry fee. Likewise, members of the Philippine Billiards Foundation Will Pay only P1000 to enter. Players will get assistance in their passage to Palawan and hotel accommodations.

Meanwhile, the registration for the second leg of Philippine Pool Tour Puerto (PPT) Princesa Cup leg Ten Ball Championships is now in full swing at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City and Raya Sports Office in Quezon City.

Sixteen slots are up for grabs in the qualifying stage (stage 1) on June 18 - 19 at the Star Billiards Center. The 16 top finishers in the Star Billiards Center will join with the top 16 players in the recently Mandaluyong Cup for the main draw on June 21 - 24 at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.