Established pool stars mix it up with the upstarts in the First Quezon City Open 9-ball tournament, which will be held from March 12 to 16 in various billiards halls in the country's entertainment capital.
With a total pot of $25,000 or P1-million, the QC Open, supported by the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) is the first major tournament in the country this year.
It is also the start of the series of tournaments that the BMPAP is planning to hold in key cities around the country.
Cue artists from the country's three biggest stables – Puyat Sports, Bugsy Promotions and the Negros Billiards Stable – are expected to compete in this event that offers a top prize of $12,000.
Among them are former world champions Efren “Bata” Reyes, Alex Pagulayan and Ronnie Alcano, former world no.1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante, 2007 World Pool Championship (WPC) runner-up Roberto Gomez, Dennis Orcollo and reigning national titlist Lee Van Corteza.
According to Bugsy Promotions head Perry Mariano, who is one of the organizers of the event, the start of the main draw will be held at the Side Pocket Billiards Hall in Quezon Avenue, Paeng's Skybowl in Ortigas, and the New Farmer's Plaza in Cubao, among others with the semifinals and finals at the Trinoma Mall in North Edsa.
They will also hold qualifying tournaments in other major cities, including Cebu, Davao and Bacolod .
The tournament is open to all players, including foreigners, and it is expected to attract hundreds of participants, especially with the entry fee to be pegged at a very minimal rate.
For more details, contact Gandy Valle at 0916-958-9897.
P1-M QC 9-Ball Open slated
February 3, 2008