'Balikbayan' OFW tops Billiards Stars Search
abs-cbnnews.com | 08/04/2008 7:44 PM
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A "balikbayan" contract worker from the Middle East led the pack of winners in the finals Sunday of the 2008 Billiard Stars Search (BSS) at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City.
Elvis Calasang topped Division A in the inaugural tournament after defeating Demosthenes Pupul, 9-7. The victory brought him not only the champion’s trophy and the prize money of P30,000. Aside from these, he also a seat in the next Guinness 9-Ball Tour leg in China.
Meanwhile, John LA Garde won Division B with a thrilling victory over Richard Talibong, taking the champion’s trophy and the top prize of P20,000.
In Division C, Rommel Amiscary beat 14-year-old Stephen Villagonzalo, 7-3, for the trophy and prize money of P20,000.
The tournament sanctioned by Billiards & Snooker Congress of the Philippines drew 165 players – 47 participants in Division A, 43 in Division B, and 75 in Division C. The competition spread over a period of seven days.
Meanwhile, Star Billiards chairman and BSCP treasurer Sebastian Chua declared that Billiard Stars Search will become a regular event at the Star center.
“The tournament will resume immediately after the WPA World Ten Ball Championship concludes in October,” he said. “We will hold it as often as the pool calendar allows.”
For his part, BSCP chairman Yen Makabenta said BSS fulfills an essential objective of the national association. “We want to encourage competition in all skill levels in our sport,” he said. “This tournament has proven that a lot of Filipino players of all skill levels, age groups and gender want to test themselves in open competition.”
The final standings of all divisions in the tournament were as follows:
Division A
Champion – Elvis Calasang
Second – Demosthenes Pulpul
Third – Mario Tolentino
Fourth – Junbert Ogang
Division B
Champion – John LA Garde
Second – Richard Talibong
Third – Leonardo Hipolito
Fourth – Alexander Aquino
Division C
Champion – Rommel Amiscary
Second – Stephen Villagonzalo
Third – Christian Millari
Fourth – Jonas Magpantay
